Three local schools bring home MACY trophies

Tom Titus

Three Newport-Mesa high school drama departments came back from the

recent MACY Awards ceremony bearing trophies, but it was Newport

Harbor High School that realized the impossible dream.

Newport’s production of “Man of La Mancha,” directed by Roberta

Kay, captured the prestigious Childress Award, named for its

presenters -- and founders of the MACYs 34 years ago -- John and Lee

Childress, who selected “La Mancha” as their favorite show among 20

productions in competition.

Mixed emotions reigned, however, since John Childress passed away

just a week before this year’s ceremony, held at Saddleback Valley

High School in Santa Ana. His widow, Lee, was given a prolonged

standing ovation in recognition of her tireless efforts on behalf of

the MACYs and recognition of high school musical theater

accomplishments.

Besides the Childress Award, Newport Harbor earned “highest

achievement” honors for Kate Guesman and Mike McLean, who also was

named actor of the year. The “La Mancha” ensemble also came in for

“outstanding achievement” laurels.

Others in the Newport production taking home trophies were Brandon

Crisler and Evan Sinclair, outstanding achievement; David Miller,

achievement; Sharz Aletaha, Jennifer Sakiokatma and Matthew Williams,

special recognition; and Alen Arjad and David McMahon, Bright Spot

awards.

Estancia High School’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing

Technicolor Dreamcoat,” directed by Pauline Maranian, earned

outstanding achievement recognition for Andre Casey. Achievement

awards went to Caley Ryan Carr, Mike Fennessy and Kaylie Gordon.

Other student performers at Estancia earning citations were David

Do, Courtney Fletcher and Clayton Mills, special recognition; and

Arwyn Knott, Bright Spot award.

Corona del Mar High’s entry in the MACYs was “Into the Woods,”

directed by Carrie Lopez, and the production won outstanding

achievement honors for Jackie Colgate, Maggie Donnelly, Evan Hirsch,

Drew Murtaugh, Jordan Rabinovich, Allison Ross and Bryan White.

Others in the musical recognized for their achievement were Brian

Engmann, Anne Schroeder and David Simon. Bright Spot trophies went to

Alexandra Cunha and Eric Mirowitz.

“This, the 34th 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,” Lee Childress said.

The MACYs began in Los Angeles, when the Childresses realized

there was a need to recognize the accomplishments and hard work of

talented performing arts students in L.A. high schools and, with the

city’s aid, started the MACY program.

Upon moving to Laguna Beach, they saw the high quality of

performing-arts programs in the surrounding area and moved the MACYs

to Orange County, where they have remained for some three decades.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Fridays.