UHS to roll out red carpet for Cappies

Posted by ChaddsFordLive on May 10, 2016

The cast of the UHS production of 'You Can't Take It With You' will be on hand for Sunday's gala Cappies event, which is being held at the high school for the first time.

After basking in the glow of positive reviews, Unionville High’s theater community will have another reason to celebrate this Sunday, May 15, as it hosts the 11^th Annual Greater Philadelphia Cappies gala, the high school equivalent of the Tonys.

Sunday’s sold-out program marks the first time Unionville has provided the venue for this red-carpet event. It was held at Eastern Regional High School in New Jersey the past two years and Upper Darby High School before that. Organizers said they are expecting about 250 high school thespians and 50 directors from the area to converge on the high school.

Thirty-four schools in the Philadelphia region participate in the program, according to the Cappies website. High school journalism students, known as Cappies critics, travel to other schools involved in the organization to see and judge their school production.

After the student critics have seen a show, they write a 300- to 400-word review and compete to have their reviews selected for publication in local newspapers. The critics also vote for the award winners, which are entirely determined by student choices. The awards are presented in categories ranging from lighting, sound, set, and costume design, to comic actor, dancer, vocalist, and lead actor.

A number of Unionville students are up for awards for their roles in “You Can’t Take It With You,” which was staged in November. Alex Kallis is vying for best lead actor, Madeline Pandos is a contender for featured actress, and Clarisse Cofrancesco was nominated for comic actress. In addition, the team of special effects and/or technology with Courtney Smith, Dara Jin, Lauren Hughes, and Hannah Bailey is up for a special effects and/or technology award.

Here’s what some of the students critics had to say about the production:

“Each member of the cast was energetic and maintained his or her energy throughout the show,” said Maureen Tibbetts from Archmere Academy. And Marisol Smith of Lindenwold High School made this comment: “When the cast and crew of the production weren't dazzling the crowd with striking student-produced sets and impressive lighting, they were charming them with their fluent accents and upbeat personalities.”

The Greater Philadelphia Cappies Gala will begin with a musical number performed by representatives from each of the schools in the program. Throughout the evening, 13 schools nominated for song, play, and musical will perform selections from their shows. More than 225 nominated students will receive medallions, and 41 trophies will be presented to the Cappie winners. Superintendents, principals and board members from participating schools, as well as theater professionals, will serve as special guest presenters.

The Cappies program was founded in Washington, D.C. in 1999 and is now active in 13 cities across the U.S. and Canada. The Greater Philadelphia region is the second largest.

The gala will take place on Sunday May 15, starting at 4:30 p.m. at the high school, which is located at 750 Unionville Rd, Kennett Square, Pa., 19348.