Winners Announced for the 2017 Minty Awards

The Minty Organization, the non-profit company which oversees The Minty Awards, held its biggest ceremony of the year, The 7th Annual Minty Awards, Sunday, June 4 at the historic St. George Theatre. Over 1,100 attended the ceremony honoring excellence among the Staten Island Catholic High School's musical theatre productions.

"The enthusiasm of the students that we've seen over the past Minty season has been extraordinary," commented Michael Pinto, Executive Director of The Minty Organization. "For the Catholic High Schools, the honor of a Minty Award nomination is the culmination of their hard work in a high school musical. It is truly an honor to work with, and bring all of these students together for an evening celebrating them and their achievements in the arts."

The 7 Catholic High Schools and students participating were judged in 13 categories including the evening's coveted award, The St. Genesius Award for Outstanding Musical. The school that wins the St. Genesius Award also receives $5,000 to the school's Performing Arts program; and the remaining schools will each be receiving $1,000.

Tony Award-winner Michele Pawk presented The St. Genesius Award for Outstanding Musical.

The nominees for The St. Genesius Award for Outstanding Musical are Bye, Bye, Birdie - St. Joseph Hill Academy; Crazy For You - Moore Catholic HS; She Loves Me - Msgr. Farrell HS; SHREK - The Musical - St. Peter's Boys HS; The Music Man - St. Joseph by-the Sea HS; Jesus Christ, Superstar - Notre Dame Academy; and 9 to 5- St. John Villa Academy.

A full list of this year's winners and nominees is available at www.mintys.org.

THE 2017 MINTY AWARD WINNERS:

Outstanding Featured Actor

Daniel Cesare, She Loves Me, Msgr. Farrell High School

Outstanding Featured Actress

Francesca Saccomagno, SHREK The Musical, St. Peter's Boys High School

Outstanding Artistic Design

Jesus Christ, Superstar, Notre Dame Academy

Outstanding Choreography

Crazy for You, Moore Catholic High School

Outstanding Chorus

9 to 5, St. John Villa Academy

Outstanding Production Number

"I Got Rhythm," Crazy for You, Moore Catholic High School

Outstanding Featured Dancer

Marissa Ackerman, Alexa Riccardi, The Music Man, St. Joseph by the Sea High School

Jillian Jackman, Crazy for You, Moore Catholic High School

Outstanding Supporting Actor

Elbi Cespedes, Bye, Bye, Birdie, St. Joseph Hill Academy

Outstanding Supporting Actress

Analise Scarpaci, Jesus Christ, Superstar, Notre Dame Academy

Outstanding Leading Actor

Nicholas Gerrity, She Loves Me, Msgr. Farrell High School

Outstanding Leading Actress

Kirsten Kaiser, Crazy for You, Moore Catholic High School

The St. Genesius Award for Outstanding Musical

Jesus Christ, Superstar, Notre Dame Academy

The Theatre Player of the Year Award. The schools were asked to select one student who exemplified the spirit of that school's theater department. Each recipient below was presented with a special award:

Teresa Wrobleski, Moore Catholic High School

Matthew Di Benedetto, Msgr. Farrell High School

Kristin Fontana, Notre Dame Academy

Nicole Fitzpatrick and Meaghan Meshcino, St. John Villa Academy

Gabriella Poska and Stephanie Trimarchi, St. Joseph by the Sea High School

Alexis Kilayko, St. Joseph Hill Academy

Erica Allocca, St. Peter's Boys High School

The 2017 Minty Awards were co-sponsored by Ben-Jo General Trucking, Senator Andrew J. Lanza, and Wagner College.

Each school's cast also performed in a specially commissioned opening number medley, as well as a 7-minute performance from their show. The special opening number, "Another Minty's, Another Show" was choreographed by Geralyn Whalen.

Individuals who wish to make a tax-deductible contribution to The Minty Organization are asked to visit www.mintys.org.