Opening

• Six Degrees of Separation, Stray Dog Theatre, St. Louis, MO
• King Lear, St. Louis Actors’ Studio, St. Louis, MO

Continuing

• Twelfth Night, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
• Always, Patsy Cline, Stages St. Louis, Kirkwood, MO
• The Wiz, The Black Rep, St. Louis, MO
• Bukowsical, New Line Theatre, Clayton, MO

Closing

• Shlemiel the First, New Jewish Theater, Creve Coeur, MO

Marketing and Publicity

• Winner: Morgan Chowning, Allison Laws, Lydia Richardson: Holt High School: The Long View & The Bully Plays
• Olivia Gacka, Tally Portnoi: Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School: Flowers for Algernon
• Melissa Jung, Dana Rosenblum: Marquette High School: Into the Woods
• Lauren McCarthy, Monica Khatri, Britney Ann Rempinski, Elana Schmidt, Francis Howell High School: Elephant’s Graveyard
• Emma Riley, Clayton High School: Thoroughly Modern Millie

Sound

• David Blake, Nicholas Parker, Clayton High School: Metamorphoses
• John Dunagan, Preethi Umashanker, Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School: Flowers for Algernon
• Andrew Matusofsky, Parkway Central High: The Diviners
• Nora Schoenle, Nerinx Hall: As You Like It
• Winner: Julie Shipley, Kristen Nooney, Nora Schoenle, Nerinx Hall: Legally Blonde The Musical

Lighting

• Nick Bible, Parkway Central High: The Diviners
• Connor Laughlin, Lindsey Peters, Brendan Schmidt, Rumby Wilson, Marquette High School: Into the Woods
• James Meade, Emily Ruskey, Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School: Flowers for Algernon
• Chad Meece, Austin Cope, Michael Carter, Natalie Brunk, Francis Howell High School: Elephant’s Graveyard
• Winner: Max Treutelaar, Clayton High School: Metamorphoses

Sets

• Winner: Sean Cowell, Rachael Engle, Kaitlin Finch, Claire Kendall, Marquette High School: Into the Woods
• Jenny Ebel, Karen Esswein, Marissa Schrader, Mariel Tishma, Notre Dame High School: Murder At 221-B
• Thomas Hereford, Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School: Flowers for Algernon
• Audrey Lipsmire, Ronnie Keel, Dalton Mathis, Savannah Frame, Northwest School District: Any Number Can Die
• James Owens, Brandon Simmons, John O’Keefe, Maplewood Richmond-Heights HS: One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest

Costumes

• Jack Connolly, Julia Goldman, Parkway Central High: How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
• Isabella Gaidis, Zoe Till-Meidinger, Clayton High School: Thoroughly Modern Millie
• Winner: Abby Mayher, Northwest School District: Any Number Can Die
• Christina Rohde, Allison Phillips, Alexis Sparks, Annie Eveker, Notre Dame High School: White Christmas
• Nhi Tang, Marisa Gearin, Nerinx Hall: Legally Blonde The Musical

Make-up

• Winner: Kassandra Berger, Autumn Gullickson, Emily Lutker, Maddy Rachford, Marquette High School: Into the Woods
• Marissa Gehein, Nhi Tang, Nerinx Hall: As You Like It
• Kayla Holt, Molly Fowler, Northwest School District: Any Number Can Die
• Danasia Nance, Jessica Williams, McCluer High School: Rent
• Alex Tash, Parkway Central High: The Diviners

Props

• Ming Chan, Katie Licameli, Pattonville High School: You Can’t Take It With You
• Rilke Griffin, Clayton High School: Thoroughly Modern Millie
• Kadija Howes, Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School: Flowers for Algernon
• Winner: Michelle Kimbrel, Morgan Gervais, Wes Guthrie, Jami Steckel, Holt High School: Annie
• Natalie Mitten, Maplewood Richmond-Heights HS: One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest

Special Effects and or Technology

• Lucy Bowe, Clayton High School: Metamorphoses
• Chris Geerling, Patrick Rauschelbach, Lydia Richardson, Holt High School: The Long View & The Bully Plays
• Winner: Claire McCann, Gillian McManemin, Notre Dame High School: White Christmas
• Chris Puhlmann, Northwest School District: Beauty And The Beast

Stage Crew

• Ariana Desai, Raven Lingard, Shubhi Shekhar, Nathan Turner, Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School: Into the Woods
• Natalie Fry, Anna Kaslowski, Laura Erb, Nerinx Hall: As You Like It
• Lucy Bowe, Rilke Griffin, Clayton High School: Metamorphoses
• Winner: Zach Tallevast, Brady Snedder, John Adrian, Anthony Daugherty, Holt High School: Annie
• Lilly Webster, Caitlin Carey, Nerinx Hall: Legally Blonde The Musical

Orchestra

• Band, McCluer High School: RENT
• PCH Orchestra, Parkway Central High: How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
• Pit Orchestra, Marquette High School: Into the Woods
• Pattonville Pit Orchestra, Pattonville High School: Guys & Dolls
• Winner: CHS Pit Orchestra, Clayton High School: Thoroughly Modern Millie

Creativity

• Winner: Lucy Bowe, Clayton High School: Metamorphoses
• Alex Bush, Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School: Flowers for Algernon
• Austin Hill, Emily Coval, Ben Gerdes, David Willson, Francis Howell High School: Elephant’s Graveyard
• Instrumentalists, Nerinx Hall: As You Like It

Ensemble in a Play

• Winner: The Acutes, Maplewood Richmond-Heights HS: One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
• Clowns, Holt High School: The Long View & The Bully Plays
• Gypsies, Notre Dame High School: Murder At 221-B
• Dewey and Melvin, Parkway Central High: The Diviners
• The Townspeople, Francis Howell High School: The Comedy Of Errors

Ensemble in a Musical

• Greek Chorus, Nerinx Hall: Legally Blonde The Musical
• Winner: Chinese Brothers, Clayton High School: Thoroughly Modern Millie
• Male Chorus, Parkway Central High: How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
• The Princes, Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School: Into the Woods
• Stepsisters, Marquette High School: Into the Woods

Featured Actress in a Play

• Katie Angeli, Francis Howell High School: Elephant’s Graveyard
• Karlie Pinder, Parkway Central High: The Diviners
• Winner: Alessandra Silva, Clayton High School: Metamorphoses
• Claire Wenzel, Nerinx Hall: As You Like It
• Cidney Woodson, Francis Howell High School: The Comedy Of Errors

Featured Actor in a Play

• Teddy Kogos, Clayton High School: Metamorphoses
• Winner: John O’Keefe, Maplewood Richmond-Heights HS: One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
• Andrew Parker, Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School: Flowers for Algernon
• Paul Tahon, Nerinx Hall: As You Like It
• Jack Zimmerman, Notre Dame High School: Murder At 221-B

Featured Actress in a Musical

• Danasia Nance, McCluer High School: Rent
• Winner: Hayley Nebrig, Marquette High School: Into the Woods
• Theresa Reifsteck, Nerinx Hall: Legally Blonde The Musical
• Savanna Wagaman, Northwest School District: Beauty And The Beast

Featured Actor in a Musical

• Winner: Nate Cummings, Nerinx Hall: Legally Blonde The Musical
• Shawn Houston, Pattonville High School: Guys & Dolls
• Jake McCann, Notre Dame High School: White Christmas
• Louis Sinn, Marquette High School: Into the Woods
• Vincent Wienhoff, Bishop DuBourg: A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum

Female Dancer

• Bridget Biundo, Notre Dame High School: White Christmas
• Natalie Fiore, Marquette High School: Into the Woods
• Winner: Kate Kickham, Nerinx Hall: Legally Blonde The Musical
• Samantha Zucker, Parkway Central High: How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying

Male Dancer

• Ryan Arroyo, Nerinx Hall: Legally Blonde The Musical
• Peter Condie, Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School: Into the Woods
• Winner: Dereis Lambert, McCluer High School: Rent
• Kyle Pollak, Parkway Central High: How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
• Jake Wobbe, Notre Dame High School: White Christmas

Female Vocalist

• Molly Burgess, Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School: Into the Woods
• Emily Gumestad, Clayton High School: Thoroughly Modern Millie
• Gabriella Mancuso, Marquette High School: Into the Woods
• Katherine Potts, Notre Dame High School: White Christmas
• Winner: Jessica Williams, McCluer High School: Rent

Male Vocalist

• Kyle Baldwin, Pattonville High School: Guys & Dolls
• Winner: Ben Diamond, Clayton High School: Thoroughly Modern Millie
• Nathan Hinds, Holt High School: Annie
• Brandon Janssen, Northwest School District: Beauty And The Beast
• Aaron Randall, Bishop DuBourg: A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum

Comic Actress in a Play

• Tina Donnelly, Francis Howell High School: The Comedy Of Errors
• Alex Dyer, Holt High School: The Long View & The Bully Plays
• Kiran Jeevanjee, Nerinx Hall: As You Like It
• Winner: Audrey Lipsmire, Northwest School District: Any Number Can Die
• Katherine Potts, Notre Dame High School: Murder At 221-B

Comic Actor in a Play

• Jake Blonstein, Parkway Central High: The Diviners
• Zachary Fendelman, Clayton High School: Metamorphoses
• Adam Kaul, Notre Dame High School: Murder At 221-B
• Winner: Jimmy Reddy, Nerinx Hall: As You Like It
• Jett Wallace, Northwest School District: Any Number Can Die

Comic Actress in a Musical

• Carly Beard, Clayton High School: Thoroughly Modern Millie
• Lizzy Langa, Parkway Central High: How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
• Jenna Null, Northwest School District: Beauty And The Beast
• Winner: Liz Vasel, Nerinx Hall: Legally Blonde The Musical
• Tara Willey, Marquette High School: Into the Woods

Comic Actor in a Musical

• Jake Blonstein, Parkway Central High: How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
• Aaron Landgraf, Pattonville High School: Guys & Dolls
• Winner: Mario Meyer, Bishop DuBourg: A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum
• Alexander Schroeder, Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School: Into the Woods
• Harold Wayne, Nerinx Hall: Legally Blonde The Musical

Supporting Actress in a Play

• Michelle Brinkman, Northwest School District: Any Number Can Die
• Elizabeth Burnes, Bishop DuBourg: Acts of God
• Maggie Hogan, Nerinx Hall: As You Like It
• Aurielle Macchi, Francis Howell High School: Elephant’s Graveyard
• Winner: Katie Warnusz-Steckl, Clayton High School: Metamorphoses

Supporting Actor in a Play

• Zach Arias, Maplewood Richmond-Heights HS: One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
• James Kerr, Clayton High School: Metamorphoses
• Charlie Moody, Notre Dame High School: Murder At 221-B
• Presten Pinnell, Maplewood Richmond-Heights HS: The Laramie Project
• Winner: Tim Whyman, Parkway Central High: The Diviners

Supporting Actress in a Musical

• Mary Baker, Marquette High School: Into the Woods
• Carolyn Cowling, Nerinx Hall: Legally Blonde The Musical
• Olivia Gacka, Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School: Into the Woods
• Haley Korn, Northwest School District: Beauty And The Beast
• Winner: Alexis Tucker, McCluer High School: Rent

Supporting Actor in a Musical

• Zach Erhardt, Nerinx Hall: Legally Blonde The Musical
• Winner: James Kerr, Clayton High School: Thoroughly Modern Millie
• Richard Klos, Marquette High School: Into the Woods
• De’Angelo McGary, McCluer High School: Rent
• Evan Turek, Bishop DuBourg: A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum

Lead Actress in a Play

• Katherine Bush, Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School: Flowers for Algernon
• Hannah Gibbons, Bishop DuBourg: Acts of God
• Laura Haug, Francis Howell High School: Elephant’s Graveyard
• Haley Korn, Northwest School District: Any Number Can Die
• Winner: McKenzie Moser, Nerinx Hall: As You Like It

Lead Actor in a Play

• Winner: Peter Condie, Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School: Flowers for Algernon
• Miguel Hernandez, Maplewood Richmond-Heights HS: One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
• Brandon Janssen, Northwest School District: Any Number Can Die
• Robert Love, Clayton High School: Metamorphoses
• Alex Tash, Parkway Central High: The Diviners

Lead Actress in a Musical

• Katherine Bush, Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School: Into the Woods
• Winner: Berklea Going, Nerinx Hall: Legally Blonde The Musical
• Emily Gudmestad, Clayton High School: Thoroughly Modern Millie
• Anna Pirrie, Pattonville High School: Guys & Dolls
• Paige Woodley, Marquette High School: Into the Woods

Lead Actor in a Musical

• John Dunagan, Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School: Into the Woods
• Connor Jenkins, Marquette High School: Into the Woods
• Winner: Aidan McCarter, Parkway Central High: How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
• Lavalle Moore, McCluer High School: Rent
• Kalen Riley, Pattonville High School: Guys & Dolls

Song

• “Seasons Of Love A,” McCluer High School: Rent
• “Agony,” Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School: Into the Woods
• “Coffee Break,” Parkway Central High: How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
• Winner: “Omigod You Guys,” Nerinx Hall: Legally Blonde The Musical
• “I Love A Piano,” Notre Dame High School: White Christmas

Play

• Flowers for Algernon: Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School
• The Diviners: Parkway Central High
• Any Number Can Die: Northwest School District
• Winner: Metamorphoses: Clayton High School
• One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest: Maplewood Richmond-Heights HS

Musical

• Winner: Legally Blonde The Musical: Nerinx Hall
• Thoroughly Modern Millie: Clayton High School
• How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying: Parkway Central High
• Into the Woods: Marquette High School
• Into the Woods: Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School

Graduating Critic

• Mary Baker: Marquette
• Jennifer Boston: McCluer
• Carolina de Legerreta: Notre Dame
• Winner: Nathan Hinds: Holt
• Mario Meyer: Bishop DuBourg

Returning Critic

• Carly Beard: Clayton
• Winner: Molly Grotha: Marquette
• Allie Hult: Holt
• Marissa Schrader: Notre Dame
• Anna Weeden: Holt

Critic Team

• Winner: Holt
• Marquette
• Mary Institute/Country Day
• Notre Dame
• Pattonville

Opening

• The Wiz, The Black Rep, St. Louis, MO
• Bukowsical, New Line Theatre, Clayton, MO
• Always, Patsy Cline, Stages St. Louis, Kirkwood, MO

Opening & Closing

• Winner: MST New Play Contest TBA, Mustard Seed Theatre, Clayton, MO

Opening

• Twelfth Night, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, St. Louis, MO

Closing

• Whodunnit, Alpha Players of Florissant, Florissant, MO
• Murdered to Death, Alpha Players of Florissant, Florissant, MO

Auditions

• Young Frankenstein: The New Mel Brooks Musical, Hard Road Theatre, Highland, IL
  • Wednesday, May 22nd@6:30PM
  • Thursday, May 23rd@6:30PM – Callbacks

Opening

• Shlemiel the First, New Jewish Theater, Creve Coeur, MO
• Whodunnit, Alpha Players of Florissant, Florissant, MO
• Murdered to Death, Alpha Players of Florissant, Florissant, MO

Closing

• Chase Me Up Farnsdale Avenue, Sil Vous Plait!, Alton Little Theater, Alton, IL
• Smash/Hit, The Black Rep, St. Louis, MO
• Legally Blonde, The Musical, Looking Glass Playhouse, Lebanon, IL
• A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, K’s Theatrical Korps, Saint Louis, MO

Opening

• Legally Blonde, The Musical, Looking Glass Playhouse, Lebanon, IL
• Chase Me Up Farnsdale Avenue, Sil Vous Plait!, Alton Little Theater, Alton, IL
• A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, K’s Theatrical Korps, Saint Louis, MO

Closing

• Annie Get Your Gun, Kirkwood Theatre Guild, Kirkwood, MO
• UTBU, Theatre Guild of Webster Groves, Webster Groves, MO
• Godspell, Brass Rail Players, Belleville, IL

Opening

• Godspell, Brass Rail Players, Belleville, IL
• Annie Get Your Gun, Kirkwood Theatre Guild, Kirkwood, MO
• UTBU, Theatre Guild of Webster Groves, Webster Groves, MO

Closing

• Waiting for Godot, St. Louis Actors’ Studio, St. Louis, MO
• Three Sisters, St. Louis University Theatre Dept., St. Louis, MO
• The Bad Seed, Clayton Community Theatre, Clayton, MO

The central conflict of the play follows a young man, Orlando, and his love, Rosalind, who, unbeknownst to him, disguises herself as a man and offers Orlando advice concerning their courtship. Although she could easily reveal her identity, Rosalind instead remains in character so that she may test the strength of Orlando’s love. All the while, several other characters fall in love by chance and pursue each other in varying, comedic degrees of desperation.

Nerinx Hall’s leads were all quite entertaining, but two of the brightest were McKenzie Moser and Maggie Hogan, who played Rosalind and Celia, respectively. Moser’s animated face and conviction when speaking made her energetic character all the more enjoyable. Her performance exceeded that of most high school students as she so eagerly, and naturally, adopted her role. Nearly matching her in energy and skill, Hogan’s portrayal of Celia was also engaging. When the pair spoke together on stage, their lively interaction appeared effortless, a sure mark of excellent casting.

The supporting cast’s talent, although not as remarkable, was accented with standout performances by Jimmy Reddy, who portrayed Touchstone, and Claire Wenzel, who played Phoebe. Reddy demonstrated an ease for comedy in both his skill and timing, never-failing to draw a laugh from the audience when on stage. Wenzel did an excellent job with her role as the eccentric, stubborn pursuer of “Ganymede,” Rosalind’s alias. Both made the second act even more enjoyable.

The show’s technical aspects were executed almost flawlessly. Usually an issue in high school productions, the transitions were smooth and indicated an excellent stage crew. The music and sound effects selected were perfect for the environment in which the play took place, unifying the play as a whole. The only minor flaw lay in the set, which did not seem to reflect the talent that Nerinx obviously possesses. It was easily overlooked, though, as performers such as Moser and Hogan commanded attention.

Full of humor and performed by a lively collection of actors, Nerinx Hall’s solid production of As You Like It is sure to entertain.

by Meghan Edwards of Holt High School

As heads of household Senex (Andrew Cheli) and Domina (Hannah Gibbons) depart on a short trip to visit Domina’s mother, they leave slave Hysterium (Evan Turek) in charge. What they don’t plan on is the fact that their son, Hero (Jordan Wolk), is in cahoots with Pseudolus (Mario Meyer), a slave attempting to earn his freedom by setting up Hero with the girl of his dreams, Philia (Elizabeth Burnes). Pseudolus attempts to play the puppeteer in a grand illusory scheme, but what ensues is much confusion, chaos, and comedy.

Meyer does a commendable job playing Pseudolus. The resounding energy and unbridled enthusiasm with which he delivers his lines and songs carries the show. He gives the performance his all, bringing laughter and light to the stage. Turek owns the part of Hysterium, mastering the nervous, panicky demeanor of an overworked slave-in-chief. Wolk plays a charming Hero, personifying the characteristically awkward teenager in love, with his strong vocals far surpassing the graceless stereotype.

Erronius (Vincent Wienhoff) stands out as one of the best comics in the show. His hunch-backed gait and quavering, elderly voice combined with his endearing cluelessness make for tons of laughs throughout the show. Marcus Lycus (Devin Cox) also proves quite funny, through his over-the-top reactions, most notably a shrill, girlish scream throughout a giant chase scene.

Technical elements of the production remain simple, yet effective. Lighting (Krishna Ganim, Cullen Clifford, Tyler Yancey, Emily Jasper, Anthony Domijan, and Emma Butler) remains plain, yet fulfills its purpose, and there are no noticeable sound problems throughout the show, a miraculous feat for a high school production. Set (Matt Bannes, Ryan Cantillon, Keith Smith, John Baraba, Tim Jones, Emily Weinstroer) and costumes (Mario Meyer) are fun and colorful to match the mood of the show, remain accurate to the period, and add to the overall setting of the show. All technical elements of the show blend successfully to help tell the story.

The biggest weakness of the production may be drawn-out, uncomfortable moments toward the beginning of the show, during which it proves difficult to observe any rapport between the actors. However, as the show progresses, actors fall into their roles more smoothly and the chemistry between them becomes more evident, improving the flow of the production.

Bishop DuBourg’s production of A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum is a funny, fast-paced show with lovable characters that provide a lot of laughs. Throughout the hysterical chaotic events that occur one after another, the cast and crew simply offer a good time, and hold to their promise of “a comedy tonight.”

by Melissa Jung of Marquette High School