‘Urinetown’ Scores Top Awards

“Urinetown,” the musical with the odd name, has been a gold mine for the Academy of the Holy Angels. This spring 2024 production just garnered three Metropolitan High School Theater Awards (better known as Metro Awards) and another three Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards – including the Paper Mill’s ultra-prestigious Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical, which is akin to a Tony Award!

Katie Collins emerged as the big winner. Mrs. Collins won both the Metro and the Rising Star Award for Outstanding Achievement in Direction, capping her successful 15-year run at the helm of the AHA Theater Department.

Eva Zazzali (’25) received her Metro for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role (Little Sally). This is the second year in a row Zazzali has earned a major award for her acting talents. In 2023, she won the inaugural bergenPAC Executive Producer’s Award for her portrayal of Viola in AHA’s production of “Twelfth Night the Musical.”

Joe Lizzi of Saint Joseph Regional High School won his Metro for Outstanding Acting Performance in recognition of his portrayal of Officer Lockstock.

The night of the Rising Star Award presentations (June 11), Collins reported: “I am so thrilled to let you know that we won the following Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Featured Ensemble Group – The Rebel Poor; Outstanding Achievement by a Director, Katie Collins; and Outstanding Overall Production of Musical. I’m too excited to sleep!”

AHA cast members also had the honor of being invited to perform at both awards ceremonies (June 10 and 11). Student performers included Alessandra Lara, Alyssa Finch, Annabel Barra, Caitlin Liau, Caroline Ko, Charlotte Lasaga, Catherine Raimondi, Ellie Finnegan, Eva Zazzali, Grace Ariyan, Lilianna Garber, Mia Diaz, Valentina Gonzalez, Evelyn Coleman, Mikhayla Herrera, and Maddie Gagliardi.

AHA was nominated for the following Metropolitan High School Theater Awards: Outstanding Acting Performance by a Female-Identifying Performer – Lilianna Garber as Hope Cladwell; Outstanding Acting Performance by a Male-Identifying Performer – Joe Lizzi as Officer Lockstock; Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction – George Croom; Outstanding Achievement in Direction – Katie Collins; Outstanding Performance by a Chorus; Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role – James Coleman as Hot Blades Harry; Outstanding Supporting in a Supporting Female-Identified Role  – Eva Zazzali; Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Male-Identified Role – Jack Laux as Caldwell B. Cladwell; and Outstanding Overall Production.

AHA’s production of “Urinetown” garnered the following Rising Star nominations: Outstanding Overall Production of Musical; Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role, James Coleman as Hot Blades Harry; Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role, Valentina Gonzalez as Becky Two Shoes; Outstanding Performance by a Featured Ensemble Group — The Rebel Poor; Outstanding Performance by a Chorus; Outstanding Achievement by a Teacher or Outside Director, Katie Collins; Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction, George Croom; and Outstanding Costume Achievement, Acxel Portillo.

“Urinetown” also received several nominations for bergenPAC High School Musical Awards, including: Choreography – Ariane Ryan; Creative Direction – Katie Collins; Best Female Identified Supporting Role – Ellie Finnegan as Penelope Pennywise; Best Male Identified Supporting Role – Joe Lizzi as Officer Lockstock; and Best Male Identified Lead – Jack Meyers as Bobby Strong.