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Freddys - ‘Little Mermaid’ makes a big splash

Published July 02. 2024 01:56PM
by Ed Courrier Special to the Bethlehem Press

Student thespians from area high schools gathered on Easton’s State Theatre stage for the 2024 Freddy Awards May 23.

Two high school musical productions from the Bethlehem area celebrated wins at the event. Nazareth Area High School reeled in four awards for “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” out of nine nominations and Freedom High School brought home two out of 15 nominations.

The Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Freddy went to Addison Giesler as Ursula in Nazareth Area’s “Disney’s The Little Mermaid.”

Outstanding Performance by an Orchestra was awarded to Nazareth Area’s production of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid.” Tanishka Dhingra and Jillian Mihalik came to the podium to accept the Freddy.

“They created a video presentation on environmentally-friendly topics including single plastic use, pollution and preserving our oceans,” remarked Air Products Director of Community Relations and Philanthropy Laurie Hackett as she presented the Air Products Education/Community Impact Award to Nazareth Area High School for connecting their musical to the classroom and community.

Accepting the honor on Nazareth’s behalf were Kailey Force and Brooke Hellwig. Nazareth Area also collected $5,603 for The Ocean CleanUp, a nonprofit, through ticket sales, contributions and donations.

Lauren Ressler was honored with the lehighvalleylive.com + The Express-Times Student Achievement Award for her role as Costumer and Troupe President of Nazareth Area’s “Disney’s The Little Mermaid.”

Freedom High’s production of “42nd Street” tap danced its way to the Freddy award for Outstanding Use of Choreography and Musical Staging. Julia Ruhf as Peggy Sawyer and Allie Harper as Andie Lee accepted the award on behalf of the Freedom HS Theatre Company.

Marion Keller and Julia Sousa stepped up to the podium to accept the Freddy for Outstanding Use of Costumes for Freedom’s spring musical. Keller was Maggie Jones and Julia Sousa played Diane Lorimer in “42nd Street.”

Student actors from all 29 participating schools enthusiastically sang and danced across the stage for the opening and closing numbers. Bethlehem Catholic, Notre Dame High, Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School and Moravian Academy, as well as Nazareth Area and Liberty were represented.

Press photos by Ed Courrier At center, Maricel Wheatley as Flounder, Julia Borawski as Ariel and Damon Dellanno as Sebastian are joined by the entire Nazareth Area company as they perform “Under the Sea” from “Disney's The Little Mermaid.”
From left, Kailey Force and Brooke Hellwig accept the Air Products Education/Community Impact Award for Nazareth Area High School's “Disney's The Little Mermaid.”
The Freddy for Outstanding Performance by an Orchestra is presented to, from left, Tanishka Dhingra and Jillian Mihalik from Nazareth Area's production of “Disney's The Little Mermaid.”
Addison Giesler scores the Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance as Ursula, the evil sea witch in Nazareth Area's “Disney's The Little Mermaid.”
Lauren Ressler is honored with lehighvalleylive.com + The Express-Times Student Achievement Award for her role as Costumer and Troupe President with Nazareth Area's “Disney's The Little Mermaid.”
Freedom HS's “42nd Street” won the Freddy award for Outstanding Use of Choreography and Musical Staging. Accepting the award on the theatre company's behalf are, from left, Julia Ruhf as protagonist Peggy Sawyer and Allie Harper as Andie Lee.
From left, Marion Keller and Julia Sousa accept the Freddy for Outstanding Use of Costumes on behalf of Freedom's production of “42nd Street.” Keller was Maggie Jones and Julia Sousa played Diane Lorimer in the spring musical.
Julia Ruhf solos with “Go Into Your Dance” as Peggy Sawyer from Freedom's “42nd Street” as she takes her turn during the evening's Medley of Lead Actresses performance. Ruhf had been nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role.
Connor McClure reprises his role as Julian Marsh from Freedom's “42nd Street” as he takes his turn soloing during the evening's Medley of Lead Actors performance. McClure had been nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role as a legendary Broadway show director.
Nominated for Overall Production of a Musical, the Freedom cast from “42nd Street” performs the title song. At center is Julia Ruhf as Peggy Sawyer, the show‘s protagonist.