Illinois High School Musical Theater Awards Winners Announced

Broadway In Chicago today announced the two award recipients from the First Annual Illinois High School Musical Theater Awards: Meadow Nguy from O'Fallon, Ill. (O'Fallon Township High School) and Nathan Salstone from Northbrook, Ill. (Glenbrook North High School), who will represent the state of Illinois at The Jimmy™ Awards in New York on June 25, 2012.

The finalists (12 young actors & 12 young actresses) participated in the Awards Program on Monday, May 7, 2012, which were held at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place (175 E. Chestnut St.). During the Awards Program, the twenty-four finalists received direct coaching from JERSEY BOYS National Tour cast members on the closing number from the show JERSEY BOYS, which the students performed at the final awards ceremony. The finalists auditioned in front of Chicago's top theater professionals, including PJ Powers (Artistic Director, Timeline Theatre Company), Sam Samuelson (Film, Television and Theatre Agent, Stewart Talent), Nick Cosgrove (Frankie Valli, Jersey Boys National Tour), and Eileen LaCario (Vice President, Broadway In Chicago). In addition to their day with the Broadway In Chicago team, all finalists received tickets to see JERSEY BOYS. Nick Cosgrove announced the award recipients and Meadow Nguy sang "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz and Nathan Salstone performed "Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera to conclude the event.

"I'm very honored to achieve this tremendous award. I look forward to going to New York and having an amazing experience," says Meadow Nguy. Nathan Salstone exclaims "I'm thrilled to be going to New York at such a young age. This has always been my lifelong dream to perform on a Broadway stage and I hope to follow in this career path."

Meadow Nguy and Nathan Salstone will be provided with an all-expense paid trip to participate in a performance enrichment program, representing the state of Illinois at the National High School Musical Theater Awards, on Broadway, on Monday, June 25, 2012. The National High School Musical Theater Awards, also known as The Jimmy™ Awards, are named for legendary Broadway theater owner and producer James M. Nederlander. Broadway In Chicago is a Nederlander presentation, and is excited to join the network of theatres across the country participating in The Jimmys™.

In its inaugural year, the Awards program received more than 50 applicants, high school students from all parts of the state of Illinois, from O'Fallon, Illinois to as far north as Cary, Illinois, as well as from Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.