For the second year in a row, York High School earned the top honor at the Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards (IHSMTA) at the Broadway Playhouse on June 4. Tuck Everlasting was honored as Best Production in the state of Illinois.
Along with Best Production, Carina Kanzler (who played Mae Tuck) and Erin Lee (who performed as Winnie) were honored for their roles in Tuck Everlasting and given the chance to work with the dance captain from Chicago’s cast of Hamilton.
Carina will be pursuing musical theatre at New York University next year. Erin will be a senior at York High School.
In addition, Rebecca Marianetti, Theater Director at York, was named IHSMTA Best Director for 2018. This is the second year in a row that a York production was so honored. Under Marianetti’s direction, the York production of West Side Story won Best Production in 2017. Carina Kanzler was a State finalist last year for her role as Maria.
IHSMTA categories include Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Scenic Design of a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, and Best Overall Production. Five high school productions are named finalists.
“It was an incredible night, one that we will all remember forever,” said Marianetti. “This recognition is a result of an incredible team of people who are all dedicated to the art of theatre, and amazing students who pour their hearts into bringing these productions to life. We are both truly humbled and filled with pride. It was such a joy to watch our students, as well as all of the other incredible high schools perform so beautifully; theatre is alive in Illinois.”
The York Performing Arts Department credits the District 205 administration and the Elmhurst community for their consistent support of the Theatre Program. Parent Jo Macariola made the following comment:
“I am constantly blown away by York’s Performing Arts Program. These students learn so much about every aspect of theater. The Performing Arts Department provides students with an extraordinary education and unbelievable opportunities; I feel so blessed to be a part of it all.”
