Asbury Park Press from Asbury Park, New Jersey • Page 82

ASBURY PARK PRESS SUNDAY, MAY 25. 2008 Mew HDL' 'OEAUTV' 11 DIB AT DASIE THEATER SI. By TOM CHESEK Correspondent evolved into something even better. -Cj We've just unveiled the new APP.com, -r your source for more entertainment opinions and local news than ever. Best of all it delivers more you your photos, comments, blogs and more.

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who gave the nod for Outstanding Ensemble Group in a Musical to "The Jets" of Howell High School's "West Side Story." Making their contributions via pre-recorded video, famed comedians Lewis Black, Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood announced the honors for Lead Actor in a Drama (a tie between Raritan High School's Julian Fulton and Freehold's Connor Spahn) and Lead Actress in that category (Michelle Tanen in Colts Neck's production of "A Midsummer Night's Kicking off the ceremony and at between-award intervals, the audience was treated to several musical production numbers that starred cast members from various nominated shows. "Saturday Night Live" veteran Piscopo also got into the act; belting out a Jersey-guy parody of the Sinatra signature "New York, New showcasing a range of singing impressions on a swinging "Mack the Knife," and sporting his "Letterman teeth" for an impersonation of the late-night host. Other major award winners included Allen J. Shields for Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Shore Regional's "Beauty and the David Smolo-koff (Red Bank Regional's "Beauty and the and Connor Spahn (Freehold's "Little Mary for Lead Actor in a Musical; Sarah Middough (Shore Regional's "Beauty and the and Lori Tishfield (Freehold's "Little Mary for Lead Actress in a Musical; Danny Mullanaphy (Freehold Township's "Peter for Supporting Actor in a Musical; Megan Bolger (Freehold's "Little Mary and Patricia McCarron (Rumson-Fair Haven High School's "The as Supporting Actress in a Musical, and Nick Messina (Raritan High's for Supporting Actor in a Drama. This year's Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon retiring Red Bank Regional faculty member Anthony Recommend stories to others by voting on news items you think everyone should see.

A controversial study of a real-life killing and a colorful musical born of a Disney cartoon were among the big winners at the third annual Basie Awards, hosted at Red Bank's Count Basie Theatre on Wednesday night. Presented by the Count Basie Theatre Foundation each spring as a way to honor excellence in Monmouth County's high school theater programs, the Basie Awards are given out in both dramatic and musical categories. Student productions from nineteen Monmouth County schools were assessed for this year's nominations, with winners made public in a ceremony sponsored by the Shrewsbury-based Moser law firm. Master of ceremonies Joe Pis-copo presented the award for Outstanding Dramatic Production to Ocean Township High School's staging of "The Laramie Project," a theatrical piece adapted from interviews with citizens of Laramie, Wyoming in the wake of the murder of Matthew Shepard, a young gay student who died in 1998 of injuries sustained in a notorious hate-crime beating. The play's selection as the dramatic production for the 2007-2008 school year made headlines when principal Julia Davidow and Ocean Township Superintendent of Schools Thomas Pagano prohibited its presentation on the grounds that its provocative themes would prove offensive to many in the community.

The decision set off a ground-swell of popular support in favor of drama teacher Bob An-gelini, national media attention and a grass-roots effort to secure Angelini and the school's West Park Players an alternate venue in which to present the play. After admitting that no one in the community had come forward to voice support for his decision, Pagano relented and the show was presented to widespread acclaim in the autumn of 2007. Accepting the award on behalf of his cast and crew, Angelini recalled Shepard's legacy, thanked the Tectonic Theater Project for researching and creating "Laramie," and issued a challenge to his fellow high school drama instructors to undertake their own productions of what he characterized as "a meaningful show." Angelini also took home a Basie award for Outstanding Direction of a Drama, and "Laramie" picked up additional honors for Lisa Henderson, who tied with Freehold High School's Rachel Sender in a as best Supporting Actress in a Drama. 'Beauty' wins big Piscopo presented the award for Outstanding Musical Production to Shore Regional High School's version of "Disney's Beauty and the Beast," a show that netted a total of seven awards Wednesday night; making it this year's most-honored production. Freehold High School led the night in total awards with eight Basies including multiple wins for student Connor Spahn and faculty member Joe Reilly.

In addition to Piscopo, a number of event sponsors, show business pros, Basie board members and regional dignitaries served as award presenters among them Tony-nominated actor Lou Liberatore, State Assemblywoman Caroline Casa-grande (awarding Outstanding Featured Ensemble Member), New Jersey Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells (presenting Outstanding Chorus) and Red Bank Mayor Pasquale Menna, 1 rrrn Check area's most complete and up-to-date events calendar Whether I B2B you're looking for bar bands, movies, outdoor fun or family activities. Search and navigate better with our user-friendly navigation bar, plus a I more powerful, accurate local search engine. I Get even more out of life at the Jersey shore. i i I ii i lour jjcisoikii pioiiic paye nil yuui LuiiimeiiLS diiu leLuniinenudiiuiisius the ability to upload photos, blog and send messages. You can be a local celeb, Vnur nhntnc anA viHanc nnhlichoH hi nc nf thnnrlorctnrmc hroalcinn i i iewi ui yuui uuy idlest I' 10 i dim in' rin.Min 1 tM rrrmffT'! For a complete list of winners, go to tiiSi! Introduce Jersey Shore women to your business or service II tore I Uomkcom vv uiiieii 8 Th first 500 mi women will receive Thursdau, June 12 3pm 8pm .3 courtesyoffoodOrcus-foodtovw.

Floral Department At the Robert B. Meyer Reception Center anderseyshoremoms.w" i PNC Bank Arts Center. 1 1 6 Garden State Parkwav. Holmdel rx uywjuu tfy yaw wvwtt way caa ws ws cl Our vendors will orovide valuable information on: Healthcare Cnnkinn Cna treatments Facials Cosmetics, Women and Finance Jewelry Buying an auto Enjoy appetizers and live cooking demonstrations from the chefs at Circus Fresh A Foods Catering For catering info contact Robert Collins at 732-439-6336 Relax to the classical flamenco guitar of Nolan Willence Fantastic door prizes including a 3-pc reclining sectional with built in storage, cup holders 2 built in recliners from Jason's Furniture $3,000 in Gift Cards from Monmouth Mall Broadway Tickets Tickets to Six Flags Great Adventure and much more! These Vendors are not to be missed! Pampered Chef Plastic Surgery Center Rejuvenation Aquarius Mortgage Associated Humane Societies Avanti Day Resort Bath Fitter Chapel Hill Dental Arts Denco Distribution Inc. Final Coat Exteriors Future Freshman LLC Garden State Scooters Irwin Lincoln Mercury Mazda Jacques Catering JerseyShoreMoms.com Kensington Court Lia Sophia Mary Kay Cosmetics Mona Vie Nutrition NJ Natural Gas 1 Media Spa Shore Hands Family Chiropractic The Atlantic Club Wachovia Securities Women to Women I TV JerieqSLfflomUom ASBURY) PARK I PRESS 1 lltaiaksiMnu.wia.