“Oklahoma” ok for Laguna High

The groundbreaking musical “Oklahoma,” which first lit up Broadway more than 60 years ago, still has some punch to it, as demonstrated by the cast of the recent revival at Laguna Beach High School.

The Rodgers and Hammerstein collaboration, the first in the composers’ celebrated history, collected 13 trophies at the 36th annual MACY (Music and Arts Commendation for Youth) awards.

Two awards for “highest achievement” were presented to Laguna High’s “Oklahoma” ? an individual recognition for Celena del Pizzo-Howell and the show’s entire ensemble.

Five cast members were honored for “outstanding achievement.” They were Cooper Henderson, Madelline Morrison, Kyle Naughton, Noah Plomgren and Kimberly Reisman.

Additionally, Dylan Sachse earned an “achievement” trophy, and five “Oklahoma” company members walked off with “bright spot” awards, given for notable cameo performances. They were Katie Bing, Peter Hastings, Ericka Jones, Taylor La Barbera and James Luby.

The MACY awards, honoring excellence in high school musical theater, began in Laguna in 1971, when John and Lee Childress moved to the art colony. They had organized a similar program in the Los Angeles area. John Childress died shortly before last year’s MACY ceremony, but his widow has kept the MACY program alive, assisted by an active volunteer board of directors and a panel of judges that assesses each musical production during the season.

“They now have an orchestra and are reformatting the show a little every year,” said Michele Leighton, a MACY board member. “This year, they presented nine scholarships and about 415 awards.”

Twenty-eight schools participated in the MACY ceremonies, held at Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton. Judges assessed some 33 productions during the past season.