CHICAGO – Broadway In Chicago is pleased to announce that the sixth annual Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards will feature a workshop led by Adam Jacobs, star of Disney’s Aladdin North American tour, who originated the title role in Aladdin on Broadway, along with his wife Kelly Jacobs, who previously performed in Chicago in the Mary Poppins North American tour. The Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards will be held at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place (175 E Chestnut) on Monday, June 5, 2017. Sponsored by Aladdin and Grosh Backdrops & Drapery, the Illinois chapter of the National High School Musical Theatre Awards serves as an annual national celebration of outstanding achievement in musical theater performance by high school students.
Jacobs most recently originated and starred in the iconic title role in Aladdin on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre. Jacobs, who received a 2014 Drama Desk Award nomination for “Outstanding Actor in a Musical” for his portrayal of “Aladdin,” has previously appeared on Broadway as “Marius” in Les Miserables and “Simba” in The Lion King and recently released his debut album, “Right Where I Belong,” featuring songs of Alan Menken.
In addition to the workshop, finalists will receive tickets to Aladdin in Chicago (currently playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre through Sept. 10, 2017). Finalists will perform for a panel of casting agents and theater professionals on stage at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place on June 5, 2017. From the twenty-four finalists, the top two performers (Best Actor and Best Actress award recipients) will receive an all-expense paid trip to New York City to participate in a performance enrichment program and represent the state of Illinois at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (The Jimmy Awards), on Broadway.
An award for Best Production, Best Direction of a Musical, and the Grosh Scenic Design Award will be presented to participating schools.
The 2016 Illinois High School Musical Theatre Award recipients were Jack Cahill-Lemme of Park Ridge, IL (Main South High School) as BEST ACTOR for his portrayal of Edward Bloom in BIG FISH, Cecilia Trippiedi of Orland Park, IL (Carl Sandburg High School) as BEST ACTRESS for her portrayal of Eliza Doolittle in MY FAIR LADY, Cary-Grove High School for their production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA (BEST PRODUCTION) and Coal City High School for their production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (BEST SCENIC DESIGN).
For more information on both awards and complete rules and regulations, visit BroadwayInChicago.com/IHSMTA. For more information on The Jimmy® Awards/The National High School Musical Theatre Awards™ (NHSMTA), visit www.JimmyAwards.com.
ABOUT THE JIMMY AWARDS
The Jimmy® Awards/The National High School Musical Theatre Awards™ (NHSMTA) impacts more than 50,000 students who participate in high school musical theatre competitions sponsored by presenters of Touring Broadway productions throughout the United States. A Best Actress and Best Actor winner from each of these competitions is sent to New York for a week-long theatre intensive of coaching and rehearsals with industry professionals in preparation for a one-night-only showcase on Broadway, where a panel of judges crowns the nation’s top performers. Named for Broadway impresario James M. Nederlander, the program has been the catalyst for more than $1,000,000 in educational scholarships.
In 2012, the program inspired preeminent broadcaster WGBH Boston to produce a 3-part documentary series called “Broadway or Bust,” which follows students on a journey from their hometown competitions to their debut on Broadway. The series remains popular viewing at www.pbs.org. Presented by The Broadway League Foundation, the ninth annual Jimmy® Awards will take place on Monday, June 26, 2017 at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway. Coaching and rehearsals for this one-of-a-kind event will be held Monday, June 19, 2017 through Monday, June 26, 2017 in New York City. For more information, please visit www.JimmyAwards.com.
ABOUT OUR SPONSORS
Disney’s Aladdin
Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, Disney’s Aladdin features music by Tony Award and eight-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Sister Act), lyrics by two-time Oscar winner Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid), three-time Tony Award and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice (Evita, Aida) and four-time Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), with a book by Beguelin, and is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Something Rotten!).
Aladdin, adapted from the Academy Award®-winning animated Disney film and centuries-old folktales including “One Thousand and One Nights,” is brought to fresh theatrical life in this bold new musical. Aladdin’s journey sweeps audiences into an exotic world of daring adventure, classic comedy and timeless romance. This new production features a full score, including the five cherished songs from the Academy Award-winning soundtrack and more written especially for the stage.
Tickets for Aladdin at the Cadillac Palace Theatre are on sale now. In Chicago, tickets are available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St., 18 W. Monroe St. and 175 E. Chestnut), the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000, all Ticketmaster retail locations and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. A select number of Premium Ticket Packages, which include a prime seat location, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available for many performances. Group tickets for 15 or more are available by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710. For a complete performance schedule for Aladdin, please visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.
GROSH BACKDROPS & DRAPERY
Grosh Backdrops & Drapery supplies schools and theaters with an extensive selection of backdrops and drapery at the most competitive pricing. A choice of sizes and beautiful scenes help you enhance any production. Two warehouse locations reduce shipping times and cost. Visit us online to view our entire inventory of 5,000 products in 75 unique categories, check pricing and availability, and to reserve your order today at www.grosh.com.
ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 17 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining well up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including The PrivateBank Theatre, the Oriental Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre, the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.
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List of Participating Schools at the 2017 Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards provided below:
| Name of School | City |
| Addison Trail High School | Addison |
| Adlai E. Stevenson High School | Lincolnshire |
| Amos Alonzo Stagg High School | Palos Hills |
| Barrington High School | Barrington |
| Benet Academy | Lisle |
| Bolingbrook High School | Bolingbrook |
| Byron High School | Byron |
| Canton High School | Canton |
| Carl Sandburg High School | Orland Park |
| Carterville High School | Carterville |
| Cary-Grove High School | Cary |
| Champaign Central High School | Champaign |
| Chicago Academy for the Arts | Chicago |
| Chicago Christian High School | Palos Heights |
| Coal City High School | Coal City |
| Crystal Lake Central High School | Crystal Lake |
| Crystal Lake South High School | Crystal Lake |
| Deerfield High School | Deerfield |
| Delavan High School | Delavan |
| Downers Grove South High School | Downers Grove |
| Dunlap High School | Dunlap |
| Elgin High School | Elgin |
| Evanston Township High School | Evanston |
| Evergreen Park High School | Evergreen Park |
| Farmington Central School District | Farmington |
| Fenwick High School | Oak Park |
| Frankfort Community High School | West Frankfort |
| Glenbard West High School | Glen Ellyn |
| Glenbrook North/South | Northbrook |
| Grayslake Central High School | Grayslake |
| Hampshire High School | Hampshire |
| Harvest Christian Academy | Elgin |
| Hinsdale South High School | Darien |
| Homewood-Flossmoor High School | Flossmoor |
| Hononegah High School | Rockton |
| Joliet West High School | Joliet |
| Kaneland High School | Maple Park |
| Lake Forest High School | Lake Forest |
| Lake Zurich High School | Lake Zurich |
| Libertyville High School | Libertyville |
| Lincoln-Way East High School | Frankfort |
| Lincoln-Way West High School | New Lenox |
| Maine East High School | Park Ridge |
| Maine South High School | Park Ridge |
| Marion High School | Marion |
| Meridian Senior High School | Macon |
| Minooka Community High School | Minooka |
| Moline High School | Moline |
| Monmouth-Roseville High School | Monmouth |
| Mother McAuley High School | Chicago |
| Mundelein High School | Mundelein |
| Naperville Central High School | Naperville |
| Nazareth Academy | Lagrange park |
| Normal Community High School | Normal |
| Northside College Preparatory High School | Chicago |
| Oak Park & River Forest High School | Oak Park |
| Oswego High School | Oswego |
| Palatine High School | Palatine |
| Plainfield East High School | Plainfield |
| Prairie Ridge High School | Crystal Lake |
| Providence Catholic High School | New Lenox |
| Rockford Christian High School | Rockford |
| Rosary High School | Aurora |
| Saint Ignatius College Prep | Chicago |
| Schaumburg High School | Schaumburg |
| Taft High School | Chicago |
| Thorton Fractional South High School | Lansing |
| Trinity High School | River Forest |
| Urbana High School | Urbana |
| Vernon Hills High School | Vernon Hills |
| Wauconda High School | Wauconda |
| West Aurora High School | Aurora |
| William Fremd High School | Palatine |
| York High School | Elmhurst |
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