Feature: BOBBY G AWARDS WINNERS TAKE NYC

The fourth year of Denver's Bobby G Awards brought a new couple of thespians to the forefront of Denver's high school musical theatre scene. They'll be making their Broadway debut in just a few days at the National High School Musical Theatre (The Jimmy) Awards at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway. Currently they're in the midst of a 10-day intensive that began earlier this week on Sunday.

Curtis Salinger (Durango High School) and Charlotte Movizzo (Parker's Ponderosa High School) won Outstanding Performance by a Leading Actor and Actress, respectively, against four other performers in their categories. Salinger playEd Emmett Forrest in Legally Blonde The Musical while Movizzo performed the title role in Sweet Charity.

Since the ceremony, Movizzo has performed for both the Denver Center for the Performing Arts Board as well as at the Randy Weeks Memorial Golf Tournament. Salinger worked his song with instructors at Durango Performing Arts Camp (DPAC), where he's attended for several years. Both kept busy packing and making the rounds in Denver media before their departure earlier this week.

"After the [Bobby G] ceremony, I was up all night just smiling about how amazing this chance is, and all the support is...I can't describe it," Salinger recalls.

Salinger, from Durango, took flights between home and Denver, which would otherwise been a scenic six-hour drive. His brother, Evatt, won the same title at last year's ceremony, so Curtis was able to attend the Jimmy Awards then.

"It was really nice to have that familiarity from the Bobby Gs," he says. "I've gotten advice from my brother and [former winner] Emma about what to prepare for."

At last year's Denver ceremony, both winners hailed from Durango's production of LES MISERABLES.

This was the first year Movizzo's school was able to compete, so the process has been a new venture for her. Performing is in her blood, though, as her mother used to perform at the now-defunct Country Dinner Playhouse.

Growing up, Movizzo didn't start performing until 5th grade, but her mother would take her to shows at CDP. She also helped develop her skills as an acting and vocal coach.

"I'll never forget, when I was four, she took me to see Frosty the Snowman," she recalls. "He melted on stage, and my mind was blown. I got to meet him after the show!"

Salinger, who turned 16 just last week, first performed at five years old with his mother in a locally written show called Neville. Watching his older brother, his interest grew and he became more involved in middle school.

Movizzo's first official role was in 5th grade in a theatre camp production of The Aristocats, where she played a goose. Prior to that, she had her heart broken in 2nd grade after being rejected for the role of a munchkin in the Wizard of Oz.

Salinger, only a sophomore this year, played Marius in Les Mis last year. He has also had a hand in puppetry for a production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Movizzo, a senior, played Toby in Sweeney Todd her sophomore year, followed by roles in plays like The Crucible and The Importance of Being Earnest. Her most recent venture following Sweet Charity was as Olivia in Twelfth Night.

In the future, Salinger's got his eye on a couple of roles in Hamilton as well as Nick Bottom in Something Rotten. Movizzo claims to be a bit more old school, dreaming of roles like Velma in Chicago, the Baker's Wife in Into The Woods and the title character in Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Both actors are thrilled to be able to represent Denver in the national awards and are ready to tackle what comes at them this weekend. This will be Movizzo's first time in New York City.

"Getting the opportunity to work with Broadway professionals and meet all these other students from around the country who share my passions is really exciting," she enthuses. "The theatre is a really supportive place, so I can't wait for the relationships that will form there.

Salinger is similarly stoked, especially about meeting stars like host Zachary Levi (currently starring in She Loves Me on Broadway) along with several other theatre professionals who are currently working with the students to perfect their pieces. Those pros are a secret until the students' arrival. Last year, his brother worked on a song from The Last Five Years with Adam Kantor, who starred in the most recent Broadway production.

Their rehearsal days start early with yoga, and the rest of the days are spent in coaching sessions. On Wednesday night, the students attended a production of On Your Feet and had dinner at Sardi's.

"There's something special about a group of kids who are all there because they were recognized," Salinger says, "and I'm really excited to make lifelong friends."

The Jimmy Awards will take place on Monday, June 27, at the Minskoff Theatre in New York City. For information about the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, visit NHSMTA.com.

Photos by Chris Arneson

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