Eight Gene Kelly Nominations for Baldwin H.S.

By earning an impressive eight nominations in 13 possible categories, has put itself in fine position to walk away from the 2012 Gene Kelly Awards show with a good bit of hardware.

Baldwin High garnered two Gene Kelly nominations in 2011 but came away with no awards. This year, the school could rebound with an array of trophies in various categories thanks to its a parody of 1950s "whodunnit" mystery theater.

Baldwin's 2012 nominees:

• Best Actor - as "Lt. Frank Cioffi"
• Best Actress in a Supporting Role - as "Carmen Bernstein"
• Best Musical (Budget III)
• Best Scenic Design (Budget III)
• Best Lighting Design (Budget III)
• Best Choreography
• Best Crew/Technical Execution
• Best Ensemble

The Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera's 22nd Annual Gene Kelly Awards show will be held at The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, May 26, at 7:30 p.m.

According to its website, the Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater were launched as a means to recognize and encourage student achievement and to focus the attention of the community and school districts on the importance of musical theater and arts education.

Patterned after the American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards, the Gene Kelly Awards celebrate the power of the arts to significantly improve all areas of education.

Doran, a junior who also served as a student director and rehearsal accompanist this spring, had a breakout performance as the main protagonist in "Curtains."

Two years ago, he was part of Baldwin's production of "Cats," which received 10 Gene Kelly nominations and one win for Best Scenic Design. As a freshman that year, Doran was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his work as "Skimbleshanks."

By being nominated for the Best Actor award this year, Doran is in the running to be recognized at The National High School Musical Theater Awards show in New York City on Monday, June 25.

Brooks, another junior, was a in the Best Actress category for her role of "Mama Noah" in Baldwin's 

"I've been asked if I was surprised by the Gene Kelly nominations of Connor Doran for Best Actor and Maggie Brooks for Best Supporting Actress," Baldwin H.S.'s Director of Music and Theater Kris Tranter said during a Wednesday press conference announcing this year's nominees. "After witnessing all of the extra time they put into the development of their characters, I was excited but not at all surprised.

"Many students are naturally talented, but there is a large element of work ethic and extra attention to detail to get to the point where these individuals are recognized by the Gene Kelly Awards.

"Congratulations to Baldwin's cast, crew and orchestra and to all the other schools and individuals who received nominations for going that extra mile to achieve excellence."

(The video found toward the right side of this article includes clips from a "Curtains" rehearsal on April 14 as well as interviews with cast members.)

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