Mater Dei Milestone: Ode to Basie Awards

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Last week, Mater Dei Prep s. School officials touted the accomplishments of the class of 2011. One of the high school’s most celebrated feats of the year was its sweep win in the annual Count Basie Theatre Awards.

Nominated for 16, Mater Dei won six of the awards in a ceremony on May 25. That night, the Mater Dei Prep Seraph Players and its production crews were recognized for their musical theatre talents for the 2010-2011 school year.

On the heels of graduation, they shared their show photos and memories with Patch.

“This was our fourth year in a row to receive Basie Award nominations and to receive six Basie Awards this year is without question a result of the unwavering dedication of all those involved in our performing arts department,” Steven Sciarappa, the school’s principal. “I am very proud of our Seraph Players and their director, Cindy Dwyer.”

The award categories and Mater Dei winners were:

Courtney Kurkemelis, senior; Megan Lenehan, sophomore; Matthew Melleby, junior for Outstanding Ensemble Group in a Musical: A Year with Frog and Toad – “The Birds”

Samantha Amaral for Outstanding Choreography in a Musical: The Drowsy Chaperone

Cindy Dwyer for Outstanding Musical Direction: The Drowsy Chaperone

Courtney Kurkemelis for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical: The Drowsy Chaperone

Cindy Dwyer Outstanding Stage Direction in a Musical:  The Drowsy Chaperone

Cindy Dwyer for Outstanding Overall Production — Musical: The Drowsy Chaperone

Some comments from the students and faculty:

Matt Melleby, nominated for Outstanding Ensemble Group in a Musical for his performance as one of the birds in A Year with Frog and Toad and as one of the gangsters in Drowsy Chaperone had this to say: "Since I was nominated twice in the same category for two different parts, it was weird winning and losing at the same time.  I was happy for my winning group and sad for my losing group. But if I had to lose to somebody I'm glad it was to me!"

Basie Award winner, Courtney Kurkemelis, senior, performed in the medley featuring five nominated lead actresses in a musical the night of the awards ceremony. She performed a song from The Drowsy Chaperone.  Courtney said: "The role of Janet Van DeGraff was a blast to play.  It was great to share the stage with my best friend for one last time.  Winning Outstanding Leading Actress is an honor, and it was a great way to end my senior year.  The Seraph Players and Mrs. Dwyer truly gave me something amazing to remember about high school.”  The entire cast of The Drowsy Chaperone performed a musical piece, “Fancy Dress” which featured senior Pat Golebiowski, who was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical. 

Director, Cindy Dwyer, said: "I am so proud of my cast and so happy for them.  They worked incredibly hard on this show - one of the highlights of our Basie experience was winning for Choreography.  These kids danced in front of the mirror for hours and hours, and it was so gratifying for them to have their hard work recognized.   The Drowsy Chaperone was a great show for us It's full of zany characters, which fits my zany students perfectly.  The story is fun, and revolves around the love of musical theater, which also fits us perfectly.  It was a great experience just doing the play, and winning the Basie awards was the icing on the cake.”

Last year the school received 11 Basie Award nominations, and Krista Skribner, junior, received a Basie Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical.  Upon graduation, many students continue performing in theatre productions with much success.  An alumnus, Gerard Canonico, class of 2007, has starred in the original Broadway casts of the hit musicals American Idiot and Spring Awakening.