My View from All Sides of the Stage

My View from All Sides of the Stage

I’ve been a part of shows since the age of 5: acting, directing, stage managing, and playing in the pit. I’ve seen the stage from all sides, and each one holds its own place in my heart.

I began by acting, starting first with school shows in elementary school and then continuing on to community and local theatre now as a junior in high school. Acting gives me a rush of adrenaline like no other. Standing on stage in the blinding light is where I feel most at home: safe, yet exposed. As an actor, I have learned how to be part of a team, how to commit myself to a project, and how to be confident in myself. The stage is a place free of judgement, a place where self-expression and exploration is encouraged and fostered. I have found myself inside of the characters that I have played, and applied the emotion and experiences from my life to my acting. Being an actor has taught me to play, to experiment, and to understand humans and their inner battles and successes.

In seventh grade, I was in a show at my local acting studio when the stage manager asked if I would help assistant stage manage the younger kids’ production. It came to me as a surprise, for I had never considered being behind the scenes instead of onstage. But, I immediately agreed — I’m always looking for new challenges. Every day before the rehearsals for the show that I was in, I went to those of the younger kids’ and learned how to help them backstage, manage the props, and coordinate scenery shifts for the performances. I learned how to lead and take control in unpredictable situations. I improved my quick-thinking and problem solving, and was able to help a final product run smoothly and seamlessly.

So, in eighth grade, I knew that I wanted to lead again, but on a larger scale. I decided to direct a musical. After pitching the idea to my advisor in school, I coordinated auditions, cast the show, choreographed, musical directed, produced, and directed the full musical production of “13.” And two years later, I decided to direct again. This time was with elementary school students, and the show was “Peter Pan Jr.” Directing both of these shows allowed me to create. It  taught me how to extract the creative ideas that I formulated in my head and portray them to an audience; I was able to tell the story that I wanted to tell. I learned how to lead and work with different types of people, how to cooperate and advise, and how to illustrate my ideas in a work of art. And, it taught me the true meaning of appreciation; these actors and crew worked to create a vision that I desired to create. Their hard work and dedication was inspiring.

This past fall, I continued my journey when I decided to play cello in the pit for “A Christmas Carol.” It was a completely different experience than any of the others, but my experience acting and directing helped me immensely to be able to succeed. I was, once again, a part of a team, committed to creating a work of art, a message to the world. I was part of a single sound, unseen, but heard and felt. And, from this, I learned about being humble. I was part of a group of professional musicians, unseen in the pit, yet creating this music solely to inspire others. It was their gift to the world, and I am fortunate enough that it was able to become mine as well.

I’ve seen the stage from different angles, and they have all taught me the same thing in their own ways: be a team player, be a leader, be confident, be appreciative, be humble. Not just in theatre, but in all aspects of life. My experiences from all sides of the stage have shaped me as my own individual person, and I am eternally grateful to have been able to experience all of them. Try new things, put yourself out there, and remember that there is always more to learn.

The cast of Peter Pan, directed by Talia

-Talia Hankin

Junior at Newtown High School

NPT Youth Board member

The Great Pie Robbery...Or, We Really Knead the Dough

The Great Pie Robbery...Or, We Really Knead the Dough

A few weeks ago Trumbull High students had the opportunity to perform The Great Pie Robbery...Or We Really Knead the Dough at elementary schools around the town. Students were able to share their love of theatre with hundreds of children in Trumbull. The show had lots of humor and food puns that made the children smile and giggle. The icing on top of the cake for this amazing play was that the entire show was student directed and produced by Andrea Alicea and Sydney Sirkin. They flawlessly put together an amazing show that was enjoyable for all ages. If anyone has the opportunity to see this fantastic play I strongly recommend it.

The cast of The Great Pie Robbery performing at Frenchtown Elementary School

-Sophia Santos

Junior at Trumbull High School

NPT Youth Board Co-Chair

REVIEW: Kinky Boots

Kinky Boots

    If you're looking for a high energy and  exciting show, your best bet would be to see Kinky Boots! This thrilling show has everything and more to make it the perfect experience to go and see. Between its outstanding lighting, choreography, acting, and music, you will never get bored. There’s constantly something new to see. There’s never a dull moment in this play!

    The plot of the story centers around a young man named Charlie Price, whose father unfortunately passed away and left him in charge of his father’s failing shoe company. He refuses to shut the company's doors and has to come up with an idea fast. After one fateful night in a dark alley, Charlie comes across Lola, a drag queen at the local night club.    

Lola's spectacular high heels break and he comes to realization that the heel cannot support the weight of a full-grown man, so he decides to change these shoes for the better.

    He turns his factory around; taking a production facility for old-school loafers and transforming it into a high-end boot factory for drag queens. The underlying theme constantly shown throughout the show is to express yourself and be true to who you are, regardless of what anyone else thinks.

    Six points that are constantly repeated throughout the show are…

1. Pursue the truth
2. Learn new things
3. Accept yourself and accept others
4. Let love shine
5. Let pride be your guide.
6. You can change the world when you change your mind

    This show is great for most audiences, from teens to adults! There’s some crude humor that may not be suitable for a younger audience, but regardless, it’s truly an awe-inspiring and amazing show!

(A teaser for this play can be found below.  Email viewers, just click the provided link.)

Kinky Boots-Teaser

-Andrea Alicea 

Junior at Trumbull High School

Head of the NPT Youth Board Marketing Committee

Acapella at the Apollo (Fairfield Prep Encords)

A Cappella at the Apollo 

The Apollo Theater in the Harlem District of Manhatten, New York.

     I recently performed at the Apollo Theater with my A cappella group, The Fairfield Prep Encords, during the Apollo’s Jazz Festival. The New York City Jazz festival is produced by Manhattan Concert Productions, and allows A cappella groups and instrumental groups from all over the country perform at this hallowed hall of music. The festival consisted of two days worth of activities, starting with a clinic and ending with a performance at the Apollo. 
Early Saturday morning, the Encords, and the Jazzuits (the instrumental group) left Fairfield with the music director Christine Evans. The A cappella group consists of 8 boys and 8 girls, and the group practices for 90 minutes every week. The all-male instrumental group practices for 90 minutes as well. The train ride on day 1 consisted of a group sing-along of the set list we had prepared (much to the delight of the other passengers in the car). Once in New York, we rushed to the Marriott in Times Square to participate in a clinic before the big show. The instrumental group was up first, their clinic being led by Pete McGuinness. The man was clearly an incredible musician, as he was able to pick up any instrument, and play it brilliantly despite it not being an instrument he frequently played. Following the instrumental clinic, the a cappella clinic was led by Greg Jasperse, a professor at Western Michigan University. We performed two songs from our set, “Words” and “Use Somebody.” After singing “Use Somebody”, Jasperse informed us that he helped produce the song and worked closely with the lead singer of Kings of Leon. Needless to say, we were all quite taken aback and impressed with the caliber of our critic’s credits.
Following the clinic, the group traveled to the bright lights of Broadway to see Something Rotten! The show is absolutely hysterical and Brian Darcy James truly shines in his role. Without a doubt, the best song in the show is called “A Musical.” With a broad knowledge of theater the allusions made in this song are both genius, and hilarious. The witty, comical nature of this show makes it a must see! 
The following day, the groups traveled to Harlem, to perform at the Apollo Theater. Encords was chosen to be the group used for sound check, so we were the first people on the stage. We got the opportunity to touch “the stump” (a famous tree that was touched by performers like Ella Fitzgerald before they went on stage). We were also the first group that performed. Our set list included “Kalamazoo” “Use Somebody” “Words” “Sir Duke” and “Pompeii”. To be on the same stage where Ella Fitzgerald and Stevie Wonder have performed was an unbelievable and unforgettable experience. Following our performance, we got to watch other high school a cappella groups from all across the country including Florida and California. Later that evening, a professional a cappella group known as The Real Group performed at the Apollo. Encords actually sang one of their songs, “Words” during our performance. The group is absolutely incredible, and one of the most famous a cappella groups in the world. This opportunity was an invaluable experience, and I highly recommend other a cappella groups to try to get involved in next year’s Jazz Festival!

Encords is a Mixed (Men and Women) Jazz/ A Capella Choir. It is audition only; auditions are held in the spring. They sing contemporary/modern to classical jazz music and they perform with the band and choir as well as perform at other gigs. 

-Sarah Kulaga, 16

Junior at Lauralton Hall

Member of the Marketing Committee in the NPT Youth Board

REVIEW: Dear Evan Hansen

   Dear Evan Hansen

I recently saw an incredible Off-Broadway musical called Dear Evan Hansen. I bought tickets mainly because I LOVE the songwriters, Pasek and Paul, but in the end was blown away by every aspect of it. With bold portrayal of the common personality traits of teenagers, along with an accurate representation of social media in comparison to today’s society, it was a truly amazing experience. And although the dead guy singing isn’t Gabe Goodman or Moritz Stiefel, this musical is easily as much of a tear-jerker as Next to Normal or Spring Awakening.

    The show focuses on Evan, a high schooler who struggles with social anxiety. He writes a letter to himself as an assignment to help his anxiety, but Connor, a misunderstood boy at school, takes the letter. Connor is found to have committed suicide three days later with the note in his pocket and the letter is mistaken as Connor's suicide note addressed to Evan. Evan goes along with the assumption that Connor wrote the note and that they were friends and, realizing that pretending to be Connor’s friend makes him mean something, he abandons his originally innocent intentions and reluctantly builds onto the lie. In the end, however, he is right back where he started, with no friends, but tragedy allows him to begin to believe in his own worth.

    One of the things that makes the story so effective is that everyone knows how it feels to want to fit in somewhere. The complexity of Evan’s impulsive and irrational choices seems crazy at first, but his movements, actions, reactions, and words create an extremely humane character that is impossible not to compare to someone you know, or even yourself. The outcome is an effective and accurate representation of an overthinking teenager who struggles with people, fearlessly displaying qualities teens may not want to admit they have.

    Part of the reason why Dear Evan Hansen can make the audience laugh at some points and be close to tears at others is the music. The incredible Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (who also wrote A Christmas Story, Dogfight, and more) have once again proven to be absolute geniuses and the gods of contemporary musical theatre. Each song continues a conversation or monologue so that they are all important to the plot, and does not just allude to the plot, but explodes the moment — along with your mind. The score captures the many emotions of this show, between love, betrayal, and self-reflection, and seems to say things so much better in song than it ever could in words. As a HUGE fan of Pasek and Paul, I might be a little biased in saying that the show wouldn't be as great as it is if they hadn’t written the music. Some of my favorites were "Waving Through a Window" and “Requiem,” and the music had me crying by intermission.

    Another factor of it's success is the fantastic cast. Each character in the show goes through their own emotional journey, and every actor bared their soul onstage. In particular, Ben Platt perfectly portrayed the awkwardness of Evan, yet his display of emotion was realistic and tear-jerking...not to mention his HEAVENLY voice. As a big believer in being natural and connecting with a role, I was very pleased with his unique-but-effective acting. In addition, Mike Faist portrayed Connor Murphy incredibly well, convincingly becoming the troubled teen yet showing his comedic side in “Sincerely, Me.” Will Roland, who played Evan’s “family friend,” Jared Kleinman, was the comic relief of the show and had the audience laughing harder than ever on several occasions. As the only person I had not heard of before seeing the show, I was surprised at just how much he blew me away.

(A teaser for this play can be found below.  Email viewers, just click the provided link.)

Dear Evan Hansen-Teaser

    Overall, Dear Evan Hansen is an incredible show, and I recommend that everybody go and see it!

-Julia and Michelle Levine, 14
Freshmen at Trumbull High School
Co-managers of the Programming Committee in the NPT Youth Board.

The Big Short Movie Review

    The Big Short

     The movie entitled The Big Short has recently been made one of the  "Best Picture nominees" is a truly educational, inspirational, and immersive story.  The acting is phenomenal, and throughout the entire movie, you feel like you are right there with the characters.  This is also because of the way that the camera angles are established, and how they pan and tilt with the slightest bit of shake through the movie, making it less of a typical "lights, camera, action" type of movie.  In addition to its nomination for "Best Picture Award", The Big Short won an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, an 81% rating on Metacritic, and a 7.8/10 on IMDb.

     The Big Short focuses on the housing market (And overall economy) crash in the year 2008, and how a select few individuals were able to predict its occurrence years in advance.  It guides the viewer along the multiple story lines of these people, and how they were able to "Short" the housing market.  This was a bold and criticized move by them at the time, because the housing market was considered to be stable through a system of corruption, malfeasance, and fraudulence.  The movie exposes and explains different aspects and secrets of the stock market, housing market, and general economy.  

     This movie also acts as a warning of history repeating itself, because it explains subtle hints of the same events leading up to the 2008 crash beginning to occur yet again in the coming years.  I can not recommend this movie enough to anyone, and while it can almost be considered a documentary, the humor and immersion that the actors and the script provides keeps the viewer interested.  The only possible downfall of this movie is the fact that it is rated R (Restricted) for "Pervasive language and some Sexuality/nudity".

The trailer for this movie can be found below (Email viewers, please click the provided link)

Trailer

     Thanks for reading!  And hey, if you go watch it, maybe you can learn a thing or two as well. 

-Jimi Wright, 15

Freshman at Joseph A. Foran High School

Member of the NPT Youth Board

James and the Giant Peach

Insects, giant peach and amazing adventures. An amazing story written by Ronald Dahl. Trumbull High School has put in a lot of work and effort in the production of James and The Giant Peach. The cast and crew had the amazing opportunity to go to the local elementary schools and present this show to grades kindergarten to third. "It was really great to see such a young crowd enjoying this show" say one cast member. A few members of our youth board made their appearances in this high energy show! "It's bittersweet to see the show close, but it's time to find a adventure." Trumbull High School has its next show, Charley's Aunt which takes place in the 17th Century of a boy and pal who are trying to win the hand in marriage of two young women and the twist and turns of their efforts. The show has its opening next week November 13th and 14th at 7:00 pm.

By Andrea Alica

Hair

This weekend at Ithaca they have there fall musical being performed. Their fall musical Hair takes place in the 60's and 70's and describes the bohemian life style in New York City at this time period.  They have shows on November 7th at 8:00 and November 8th at 3:00. Although it may be a little bit of a drive for many it is definitely worth it because this school is a top school for many Seniors interested in getting into Theatre as a career. The performance is at 953 Danby Rd Ithaca, New York 14850.  

By DJ Flam

REVIEW: Inside Out!

Saturday, I had the pleasure of seeing Pixar's newest animated film, Inside Out. It's like they said, "Hey, wanna have a film where feelings have feelings?" and out came this movie. However, I cannot give it enough praise. This movie didn't feel like a typical Pixar movie, such as Toy Story, Cars, or The Incredibles. But, I'll get to that later.

The emotions of INSIDE OUT

Here is the official summary of the film: "Riley (Kaitlyn Dias) is a happy, hockey-loving 11-year-old Midwestern girl, but her world turns upside-down when she and her parents move to San Francisco. Riley's emotions -- led by Joy (Amy Poehler) -- try to guide her through this difficult, life-changing event. However, the stress of the move brings Sadness (Phyllis Smith) to the forefront. When Joy and Sadness are inadvertently swept into the far reaches of Riley's mind, the only emotions left in Headquarters are Anger, Fear and Disgust."

Here is the official trailer (Email viewers, click here: Trailer)

The movie was great! It got a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatos, and critics enjoyed it so much. I loved it, and the friend that I saw it with loved it too. In all honesty, this will win the award for Best Animated Feature Film at the Oscars this year. 
It seemed like they made a movie that wasn't just for the kids. In fact, I would say this movie was geared more towards the adults than geared towards kids. There were some parts that just hit us home, because we've been through this. There is something called The Memory Dump, and anything that goes in there is forgotten forever. Memories that seem important at the time go there and are forgotten. In the film, one of those was 3 years of piano. In some parts, you wonder what went into your memory dump. I actually heard kids ask their parents why the people next to them were crying.

I can't keep saying that the movie was incredible. One thing that threw me off for a bit was that I recognized Amy Poehler's voice. Maybe that's because I binge-watched all 7 seasons of Parks and Recreation before seeing the movie. Regardless, she was the perfect choice for Joy. She literally brought joy to the character, and that just made the whole movie better.

Go see this movie! It may be no Frozen, but it is all the more important. You will fall in love with this masterpiece.
-Nathan Clift, 18
Incoming freshman at Western CT State University
President of the NPT Youth Board

Open Letter to Musical Theatre Majors: Part 2

Last night's post was all about how you should never let your passion die, no matter the role you get cast in. The truth is, the business is more difficult now than ever. So I'll expand on a point I made in the other letter. The point I am referring to deals with if you have an idea for a play, then write it. While I am referring to certain play writes, I'm not just saying plays. I'm talking about all jobs, including production end jobs.

When I attended WestConn's orientation, I heard two stories. One of them deals with a kid that didn't get many leads in the shows. However, when the time came for an internship, he took one that ended up with him now working at Broadway Records as an assistant. Van Dean, a producer that has helped bring Cinderella, Matilda, and Bonnie and Clyde to Broadway, created the record label to ensure that ALL Broadway shows are remembered. Since its launch, shows such as Side Show, The Visit, Matilda, Doctor Zhivago, Big Fish, Peter Pan: Live! and various concerts at 54 Below have had their scores recorded for CD purchase. The other story deals with another theatre arts major (I forget if she was Musical Theatre or Performance). She took the sewing skills and techniques she learned from school and was hired to be one of the costumers for Heathers: The Musical Off-Broadway.

These are people that took what they knew, made connections, and are working in the industry (though it may not have been for acting). There is one more example that I would like to share. On YouTube, there is a channel called "Drunken History". Well, it was such a success that it is going on TV!

Nowadays, there are some actors (i.e. John Cameron Mitchell, Lin Manuel Miranda, Wesley Taylor, Anthony Rapp, Laura Benanti) that are writing their own plays, musicals, and novels. These sources can reach to someone. Then, they read it. If they love it, maybe they want to see these authors in action and find a video of them online. If they see them online, maybe they want to see them live. If they like the show, they go to a Broadway show. I know that all of that is a stretch, but it could happen.

And, in some ways, NPT is doing just that. The New Paradigm Theatre was built by Broadway Actress Kristin Huffman to assist nonprofit organizations and help communities. These volunteers (on both the adult and youth boards) don't need to be thespians, but some are. These boards and the company aren't about performing. They are here to help teach and educate. I know that the lessons I learned on the Youth Board can help me in real life. In addition, I know now how to communicate with adults and my peers, know the importance of a deadline, and know how to professionally present myself. This was an opportunity of a lifetime. That being said, no one is perfect. There is no way of knowing everything. There are always opportunities to learn and grow.

So, "At the end of the day", where will you be? It could be at the Tony's accepting your award for Leading Actor/Actress. It could be winning the Pultizer Prize for Drama (like Next to Normal and Rent), or you and friends create your own web series and watch billions of people enjoy it when it transfers to TV. Maybe you'll be producing the next hit musical, or even recording the album. No one knows where life will take you, but as long as you stay somewhere in the business that you love, you're in. You're making it happen. You're creating and preserving a beloved artform. In all honesty, "who could ask for anything more"? "We've got magic to do" and there's "no day but today" to do it. I'll stop with the theatre references.

-Nathan Clift, 18, President of the Youth Board
Incoming Freshman at Western CT State University
Musical Theatre Major

Open Letter To Musical Theatre Majors

Sunday into Monday, I attended WestConn's orientation for the School of Visual and Performing Arts (aka VPA, as I will refer to it). While in attendence, I soon realized that I was the only person in the Musical Theatre department that has not been "the favorite" or "the one that gets the leads". Heck, in Mary Poppins (which the Trumbull Youth Association is producing this summer), I'm the Park Keeper. In Trumbull High School, I was Lead Munchkin #3, or The Cowboy Wyatt, or Squeegee Man, or Stanley. These roles aren't well known at all, and are small featured parts that come off as insignificant. While some people think that I have been "snubbed" from getting large roles, it was a blessing to have been cast.

If you have been graced with a lead every year, congrats. However, what happens when you get a two-line part? Would you freak out and think "I am better than this", or would you take it because it's a job? Most of the people that do the college shows are more than likely to be in the same situation as you: always the lead. How about that kid that got ensemble, made one of the top 10 BA in Musical Theatre programs in the country, and auditions for a show? If they get cast, that's an accomplishment. If they get a featured part, than that's where they were. If they get the lead, then that's an experience that they've never had before. But let's go back to those that get leads. I think that they deserve them as much as everyone else. However, they should get ensemble too. In the professional world, the odds of actually landing a Broadway show are one in a million. So many things can attribute to that. Hollywood stars are getting roles just so people see the show.

Look at Side Show, and Doctor Zhivago, and even Pippin. These shows weren't name grabbing, and part of that was the leads. As fantastic as they may be, it's hard to draw an audience without a name like Disney or some Hollywood Actor. Also, they might not have won any Tony Awards, which would cause the show to suffer (except the few that didn't win many- including Best Musical- and are still hits, like Wicked and Beautiful). On the contrary, Fun Home had low ticket sales, but won the Tony and the rates are even higher.

Broadway used to be the home of opportunity. In some ways, it still is. When Jonathan Larson began RENT, he didn't want anyone who has been on Broadway. He wanted people to make their Broadway debut and were artists. Names like Idina Menzel and Adam Pascal came out of this show. Sutton Foster got her big break in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, and Carol Channing rose to stardom after HELLO, DOLLY! while Patti LuPone earned her spot in the original run of EVITA. In Fun Home, the more famous person in the show is Michael Ceveres. Everyone else is either making their debut or not well known.

The point I am trying to make is that we never know where the theatre will take us. We could be like Ivy Lynn on Smash and take 10 years to land a lead. We may always be in the ensemble. We might find success in creating a show. We don't know, but we need to be ready. If you have an idea for a play or musical, WRITE IT. Keep editing it. One day, you could see it on Broadway. One day, you could make your Broadway debut. It could be in the ensemble (which isn't bad. The average Equity ensemble member makes $1,600 a week), or in a starring role. Never give up on your dream. If you made it this far, why would you?

-Nathan Clift, 18
Incoming Freshman to Western CT State University
BA in Musical Theatre

REVIEW: The 69th Annual Tony Awards

Last night, theatre fans from all over the world gathered around their TV sets to watch the Super Bowl of Broadway. As always, there was laughter and tears. There were tears of happiness and sadness. Without another moment passing, let's get to it!

Hosting for the first time was Alan Cumming and Kristen Chenoweth. I knew from the start they would be great, because both are Broadway actors. They have trained to entertain and know how to captivate an audience. The introduced the night by singing a medely of "Wilkomen" (from Cabaret), "It Takes Two"  (from Into the Woods), "Popular" (from Wicked), "Nothing Like a Dame" (from South Pacific), and one or two others that I was unable to write down because they happened so quick.

Following that, they introduced the first Best Musical performance. The cast of Something Rotten! performed the song, "A Musical". Within the song, there are musical references. I can recall the following: Annie, A Chorus Line, Les Miserables, Rent, and others. It had a tap break in it. Usually, musicals that do so have a long run. If that's the case, then I'm thrilled! I don't only want to see this show, but I want to be IN this show!

The next performance was The King and I. They performed a medley. The first song was "Getting to Know You", sung by the King's children and Anna (portrayed by Kelli O'Hara). Following that, Ruthie Ann Miles (in her Broadway Debut) sang her character's heartbreaking song. After that, Anna and the King sang "Shall We Dance", as we get a glimpse of the beautiful and iconic ball gown.

The third musical performance was On the Town. I only had one word... Wow. At the time of it's performance, I thought it would win Best Choreography and Best Revival. It's also the longest running revival of the musical. Following the Tommy Tune medley, Gigi took the stage. It was enjoyable to watch, but I would have loved to see more of the nominee, Victoria Clark, than Vanessa Hudgens.

After winning Best Book and Best Original Score, Fun Home tore the house down. It just broke records, being the first all-female writing team to win the Tony for Best Book and Best Score. Their performance was simple, which made it all the more effective.

An American in Paris performed next. In the first two minutes, it was all dance. I was afraid that there would be no singing. Then, they sang the song all "new Gershwin musicals" have: "I Got Rhythm". Seriously... They team wrote so many other songs. Pick a one. I understand that the song was in the film, but it's the probably the third Gershwin musical to have it.

Next was On the 20th Century. I didn't think that this show would win big, but it did have some pretty cool moments. One of them was that the 4 main tap dancers tapped out the train on track sound. The final collaboration between Kander and Ebb, The Visit performed. This is a show that finally made it to Broadway after many years. It was weird, and I wanted to learn more about it.

Finding Neverland performed. Though it had no Tony Nominations, it is still raking in over $1 million a week (that's on the same level as the Disney musicals). I thought it was weak compared to the live show. Maybe that's due to the camera angles. The last performance was from It Shoulda Been You, the other original musical. It received only a couple nominations, but the performance was strong.

Some special performances of the evening was Josh Groban, with the cast of each company on Broadway, performing "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Carousel, and The cast of Jersey Boys performing in honor of their 10th year on Broadway.

Here are the Winners from the evening!

Best Leading Actress in a Play: Helen Mirren, The Audience
Best Featured Actor in a Play: Richard McCabe, The Audience
Best Lighting Design of a Play: Paule Constable, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
Best Lighting Design of a Musical: Natasha Katz, An American in Paris
Best Featured Actor in a Musical: Christian Borle, Something Rotten!
Best Featured Actress in a Play: Annaleigh Ashfrod, You Can't Take It With You
Best Direction of a Musical: Same Gold, Fun Home
Best Book of a Musical: Lisa Kron, Fun Home
Best Original Score: Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori, Fun Home
Best Direction of a Play: Marianne Elliot, The Curious Incident
Best Featured Actress in a Musical: Ruthie Ann Miles, The King and I
Best Orchestration: An American in Paris
Best Choreography: Christopher Wheeldon, An American in Paris
Best Play: The Curious Incident
Best Scenic Design of a Play: The Curious Incident 
Best Scenic Design of a Musical: An American in Paris
Best Revival of a Play: Skylight
Best Costume Design of a Play: Wolf Hall
Best Costume Design of a Musical: The King and I
Best Revival of a Musical: The King and I
Best Lead Actor in a Play: Alex Sharp, The Curious Incident
Best Lead Actor in a Musical: Michael Ceveres, Fun Home
Best Lead Actress in a Musical: Kelli O'Hara, The King and I
Best Musical: Fun Home

-Nathan Clift, 18, Trumbull High School
President of the NPT Youth Board

FUN FACT: This was the highest grossing season in Broadway history! That means that attendance is up and we can afford to bring wonderful new musicals to the stage!