A girl could learn a lot from Maria.
Just ask Lauren Tidmore, who played Maria Rainer in “The Sound of Music.” Tidmore was recognized as the Outstanding Leading Actress and tied for Outstanding Female Vocalist during the 11th annual Majestic Awards on Monday at Pottsville Area High School.
“I was hesitant at first because Maria is such a classic part with Julie Andrews. But Maria brought out a lot in myself,” Tidmore said. “Maria is such a mature character, playing the mother to all of these children. I truly think I grew as a person and a performer.”
Tidmore, 18, a senior at Blue Mountain High School is bound for Baldwin Wallace, Ohio, to major in theater. She’s the daughter of Julianne and William Tidmore, Orwigsburg.
The awards show, presented by BB&T Bank, recognizes excellence in musical theater across Schuylkill County, according to Sandy Kost-Sterner, show coordinator. Throughout the evening, students performed a portion of their musical productions for a packed house, as the audience gave several standing ovations.
Vanessa Mihoda, president of the Majestic Theater Association, welcomed guests, while Henry Nyce, publisher of The Republican-Herald, served as master of ceremonies.
Blue Mountain — under the direction of Lauren Clauser — claimed the biggest award of the night, Outstanding Overall Production. This is Clauser’s first year as director at Blue Mountain.
Tidmore tied for Outstanding Female Vocalist with Makenna Copeland of Nativity BVM High School. Copeland is headed to DeSales University to study musical theater.
“It means so much being selected with Makenna because we worked together with Spotlight Kids,” Tidmore said.
Liam Wolfe, who portrayed Sky Masterson in North Schuylkill’s “Guys and Dolls” won the Outstanding Leading Actor award. Wolfe is headed to Villanova to study communications.
“Coming into this season of musicals, we had a lot of seniors and I was happy to be given the opportunity to participate,” Wolfe, 18, of Ringtown, said. “The other male lead was my best friend and the female lead is someone very special to me, so to be able to have these memories with them and the entire cast is what it’s all about,” he said.
Meanwhile, George Hegedus, who portrayed Horton the Elephant in Tamaqua Area’s “Seussical,” garnered the Outstanding Male Vocalist honor.
Four individual winners from last year — Copeland, Hegedas, Wolfe and Reiley Lonergan of Minersville Area High School, excelled again this year winning individual awards. In addition, Leanne Rooney — who won an individual award last year — teamed up with Nick Twardzik to win the Outstanding Duet award this year with Shenandoah Valley’s “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” Pottsville Area’s Taylor Brigade, who played Lord Farquuad in “Shrek The Musical” was named Outstanding Supporting Actor. Brigade plans to attend Bloomsburg University to study physical therapy and minor in theater.
Lonergan, a junior, won Outstanding Supporting Actress honors for playing Alice in “The Addams Family.”
“I think it’s amazing that we have a huge amount of talent in the arts,” she said.
She praised all the nominees and explained her role of Alice.
“She wasn’t someone I would have picked to play. Once I got the role and got the script, I could see she portrayed a happy, obedient wife, but really used words that show she wasn’t that happy ... which you learn later,” Lonergan said.
Schools receiving honors, in addition to Blue Mountain with five wins, were: Pottsville Area, five; Minersville Area, three; Tamaqua Area, three; Schuylkill Haven Area, two; Shenandoah Valley, two; North Schuylkill, two, and Nativity, one. Tri-Valley and Mahanoy Area had nominations but no wins.
Ten high schools were vying for awards in 22 categories. Leading the way was Pottsville Area High School’s “Shrek The Musical” and Tamaqua Area High School’s “Seussical” with 20 nominations each. Blue Mountain High School’s production of “The Sound of Music” followed with 19 nominations.
Pottsville Area entered the award show as reigning winner of Outstanding Overall Production, having won last year for its production of “Les Miserables.”
Other awards presented Monday were the Spirit of Theater awards, sponsored by Sophy Jewelers. Each school chooses a student to receive the award, which applauds the individual who has contributed to the performing arts program in their school with dedication, enthusiasm and hard work. The student can be a member of the cast, stage crew or pit band.
Those students selected for the Spirit of Theater awards were: Lauren Tidmore, Blue Mountain; Madison Ansbach, Mahanoy Area; Veronica Rutecky, Minersville Area; Patrick Stone, Nativity BVM; Kaeli Quick, North Schuylkill; Arrianna Daniels, Pottsville Area; Lydia Nester, Schuylkill Haven Area; Meghan Artley, Shenandoah Valley; Josh Gordon, Tamaqua Area; and Gabrielle Quandel, Tri-Valley.
For more information, visit the Majestic Theater’s website at www.majestictheater.net.