National Youth Arts bestowed 12 awards to five area Catholic schools for top-quality plays and musicals produced during the 2012-13 school year. Most schools picked up their award at a July 25 regional ceremony at Mesa High School. Two others will attend a September ceremony in Phoenix.
Under the artistic direction of Terry Temple, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Scottsdale and nearby St. Theresa School in east Phoenix brought home six awards including “outstanding ensemble – junior edition,” for each. Temple won “outstanding direction” for his work in OLPH's “Seussical,” the school's third venture into show business. Five of the six lead actors earned nominations. Ryan Breuer, who played JoJo, and Madison Mahay, who played Mayzie LaBird, received awards.
The musical, which featured 120 kids, also won for “outstanding production” in the junior division. It was nominated for five other awards including outstanding properties design.
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Temple, who retired as parish liturgist last November, went on to direct “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at St. Theresa this spring. The cast earned “outstanding ensemble” and was nominated for eight other awards.
Three actors in Notre Dame Preparatory's spring production of “Les Miserables” took home top awards. Brad Cashman was named “outstanding lead actor in a musical” for his portrayal of Jean Valjean. Alex Martinez (Javert) and Owen Stewart (Gavroche) were named “outstanding supporting actor” with Stewart competing in the junior division. Notre Dame received six other nominations including “outstanding youth orchestra.”
Brophy College Preparatory and Xavier College Preparatory pair up to produce co-ed musicals and dramas each year. Frances Mayasich will be named “outstanding lead actress in a musical” during a Sept. 25 ceremony at Herberger Theater. Mayasich played Maria Rainer in “The Sound of Music.”
Kasey Caruso will be named “outstanding lead actor in a play” for his portrayal of Lt. J.G. Daniel Kaffee in “A Few Good Men.” Emma Van Der Linn will be named “outstanding supporting actress in a play” for her role as Madame Celeste in “Cursing Mummies.” The productions were nominated for nine other awards.
