‘Birdie’ lands top-comic award

TOM TITUS

When Drew Cuddy strummed his guitar and warbled “You’ve gotta be

sincere,” he brought down the house -- or at least the multitude

assembled on stage Sunday at Fullerton’s Plummer Auditorium.

Cuddy was reprising his title role in Laguna Beach High School’s

production of “Bye Bye Birdie” at the 35th annual MACY awards, and he

took home a highest achievement award for his performance.

The show itself earned the MACY “commedia dell ‘arte” award as the

high school production which elevated the comic potential of the

material. This factor was on view Sunday as Birdie’s scene and the

Shriners’ romp featuring Alex Murrel (as Rosie) were showcased.

Murrel captured Laguna High’s top individual award for her

enthusiastic performance, winning comedienne of the year honors in

the 16-school competition. Jesse Fair (as Harry McAfee) shared

highest achievement honors with Cuddy, the ensemble and the school’s

orchestra.

There were a number of outstanding achievement awards passed out

for the Laguna High show -- to Amy Briano, Kelly Hancock, Brent

Kling, Brendan McGrady, Madeline Morrison and Josh Shields.

Special recognition was given to Billy O’Hare, Noah Plomgren, Ty

Segall, Cambria Steel and Dane Vikander. Chelsea and Courtney

Lauwereins shared “bright spot” honors for their cameo performance.

The top prize of the afternoon, dubbed “the MACY,” was awarded to

Lutheran High School of Orange County for its production of “The

Secret Garden.”

The show was one of 16 from which excerpts were performed Sunday.

The MACY awards were created in 1971 by Lee and John Childress as

a method of recognizing musical talent in Orange County high schools.

John Childress died a week before last year’s MACYs, but his widow

has carried on with the tradition and was given two standing ovations

at Sunday’s ceremonies.