HHS Garners 18 Hunting-Tony Award Nominations
The Huntington High School drama club and its actors garnered a breathtaking 18 Hunting-Tony Award nominations for its fall and spring productions of Don’t Drink the Water and The Little Mermaid.
Huntington’s fall production of Don’t Drink the Water captured five Hunting-Tony Award nominations while the spring musical, The Little Mermaid earned a remarkable 13 award nods.
Hunting-Tony Awards judges watched every high school drama club production in the town over the past year, forming the basis for the nominations and ultimate honors in each category.
This year’s award recipients will be announced during a gala ceremony on Monday, June 6 at the John W. Engemann Theater on Main Street in Northport. The nominees will walk the red carpet outside the theater at 6:30 p.m. The ceremony kicks off at 7 p.m.
This marks the sixth annual Hunting-Tony Awards ceremony. Huntington High School actors have fared well in previous years. Drama club faulty advisor Michael Schwendemann is thrilled that his program has received so many nominations. “It’s a wonderful honor to be recognized like this,” he said.
Huntington’s nominees in the drama category include:
• Best Lead Actor: Andrew Gunthner (Walter) – Don’t Drink the Water
• Best Lead Actress: Nancy Fallon (Marion Hollander) – Don’t Drink the Water
• Best Supporting Actor: Kevin McConnell (Axel Magee) – Don’t Drink the Water
• Best Supporting Actress: Rachel Carpenter (Kilroy) – Don’t Drink the Water
• Best Technical Production: Don’t Drink the Water
Huntington’s nominees in the musical category include:
• Best Lead Actress/Musical: Nancy Fallon (Ariel) – The Little Mermaid
• Best Supporting Actor/Musical: Andrew Gunthner (Scuttle) - The Little Mermaid
• Best Supporting Actress/Musical: Maddie Shea (Ursula) - The Little Mermaid
• Best Supporting Actress/Musical: Jordan Biener (Sebastian) - The Little Mermaid
• Best Featured Actress/Musical: Olivia Baldanza (Flotsam) - The Little Mermaid
• Best Featured Actress/Musical: Grace Gedeon (Jetsam) - The Little Mermaid
• Best Stage Crew: The Little Mermaid
• Best Scenery: The Little Mermaid
• Best Orchestra Pit: The Little Mermaid
• Best Ensemble: The Little Mermaid
• Best Technical Production (Sound and Lighting): The Little Mermaid
• Best Dance Performances: The Little Mermaid
• Best Costumes: The Little Mermaid
A select group of students will perform for the crowd, expected to number about 400 in the Engemann Theater. Many of the nominees are expected to come decked out in tuxedos and evening gowns. This is their night to shine.
“It’s an exciting evening and one that all of us look forward to with anticipation each year,” Mr. Schwendemann said.