“Beauty and the Beast” wins 5th Avenue Theatre's Educational Impact Award
By Steve Godfrey
May 19, 2011
Photo by Dawn Lippert
"Beauty and the Beast" actors. Back row from the left: Michael McCormick (Cogsworth), Kenny Johnston (Lumiere), and Austyn Nichols (Madame de la Grand Bouche). And in the front is Cody Lippert (Lefou), who is a nominee for the “Outstanding Actor in a Featured Ensemble Role.” Lippert, McCormick, and Johnston will be attending the awards show in Seattle on June 6.
We all knew it was a really good play; we just didn’t know how good. Well, now we know.
According to the three 5th Avenue Theatre adjudicators that attended Cashmere High School’s musical “Beauty and the Beast”, it was so good it garnered not one, but two major accolades.
First, the play has been awarded the 5th Avenue Theatre Educational Impact Award.
“This award was made possible in a large part to all of the hard work by the Vale Elementary second grade team and Wendy Crossland – thank you for helping us coordinate such an exciting and worthwhile project for both the elementary and the high school students. You share this award with us!” said Susan Gubsch, CHS Drama Director. To see what the director extraordinaire is referring to, check out an article by clicking here.
Second, Cody Lippert was nominated for “Outstanding Actor in a Featured Ensemble Role.”
“Cody Lippert played Lefou, and we are very proud of this talented sophomore!” said Ms Gubsch. You can read a little about Lippert in this play review that was posted on this site by clicking here.
Representatives from the Cashmere High School drama department will be attending the awards show June 6 at Benaroya Hall (home of the Seattle Symphony) in downtown Seattle.
“The 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards show is like the Tony awards. There is a big opening number… each school gets to have 2 students from their production in the opening number. This year Michael McCormick (Cogsworth) and Kenny Johnston (Lumiere) will be representing Cashmere High School,” continued Ms Gubsch.
“Cody is up against 6 other actors and the award will be announced that night. If he wins, he gets to make an acceptance speech just like in the Tonys and Oscars.”
“We compete against all levels of schools, from 1A to 4A,” the enthusiastic director said. “We did well.”
Indeed, they did.
The Cashmere High School Drama Department may now officially be referred to as “award winning.”
Indeed, they are.
