Laguna High thespians take home the trophies

Tom Titus

Laguna Beach High School performers demonstrated “How to Succeed in

Business Without Really Trying” earlier this year, and now they’ve shown

how to succeed in show business by really trying.

The school’s production of the big-business musical comedy captured

the Commedia dell “Arte award and also won the attention of the visiting

judges at the recent 32nd annual MACY (Music and Art Commendation for

Youth) awards, held in Fullerton College’s Plummer Auditorium.

Nathan Greene led the “How to Succeed” cast with a highest achievement

honor for best comedian, while Katie Johnson and Patrick Sauls also

earned MACY trophies for highest achievement.

Outstanding achievement honors went to Brianna Ficcadenti, Laura

Fryer, Gianelle Smith and Brad Wolf. Will Morrison was voted an award for

achievement, while special recognition went to Alex Bodrero and Kevin

Okie.

The MACY awards include a “bright spot” trophy, given to performers

who bring something special to a minor role. Laguna High’s Scott Brown

earned one of those for his work in “How to Succeed.”

Also heralded at the MACY event were the Laguna High ensemble and

orchestra, both of which earned highest achievement awards.

The annual celebration of high school musical theater unfolded at

Fullerton College’s Plummer Auditorium and featured excerpted

performances from 16 different local school musicals. Additionally,

professional singer John Huntington and the cast of Forbidden Broadway

entertained the packed house and Estancia High School graduate Paul Klees

flew in from Chicago to emcee the show for the 18th time.

The MACYs originally were established in Los Angeles in 1971 by John

and Lee Childress, who sought to recognize the contributions of high

school-level musical theater. When they moved to Orange County a few

years later, they brought the MACYs with them.

“The 32nd MACY Awards show is a celebration of the talent, hard work,

dedication, energy and boundless enthusiasm of everyone who has

participated in the wonderful musical theater productions of our

schools,” the Childresses declared.

Laguna High’s “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” not

only was the choice of the visiting judges at the ceremony based on

selections from the show, it also was the best “How to Succeed.” Rancho

Buena Vista High School in Vista also presented the musical comedy about

corporate achievement.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Coastline Pilot