Here are 5 things to look for – Morning Bell

Once again, after a two-year hiatus caused by COVID, the stage is set to recognize the best in the Lehigh Valley High School Musical Theater.

The 20th annual Freddy Awards ceremony will return live and in person on Thursday at 7pm in Easton. At this unique Tony Awards ceremony, which will be broadcast on the 69th WFMZ channel, students from about 30 schools will be rewarded for months of hard work and dedicated performances.

This year, Emmaus is leading with 15 nominations for “The Addams Family: School Edition”.

Second place with 14 nominations is occupied by Bangor from “Les Miserables: School Edition”. In third place with 11 nominations – “Mamma Mia!” Parkland! Fourth place goes to Southern Lehigh with 10 nominations for “Bye Bye Birdie”.

You can see who wins everything from the best musical to the best chorus, and enjoy colorful performances during the three-hour show.

1.) Great opening number

You may have witnessed this before. If not, imagine a theater filled with exciting, singing, dancing and staging students who show off a variety of colorful costumes together. Every talented young performer will shine with animated energy and show their stuff in the spotlight. These artists will look brilliant while staying within the program. Unbelievable, but they kill their marks, cues, steps and lyrics. Somehow the band manages to do it every year. The opening room is usually the highlight of the evening.

2.) Nominated musical performances

If you’ve missed a few shows and want to know why they’re nominated, the program on Thursday night will feature each award-winning song, giving viewers a chance to watch and listen to the best musical numbers that brought them to this stage. Keep your eyes and ears open. Most likely, a star will rise or more.

3.) Literate crowd

For these talented and gifted young people, this is their latest “playoff game”. This is their division, league and district championship combined into one. Whether you’ve seen Freddie on TV or in person, you know what we mean. It’s loud. Like, loudly blow the roof. The shouts and cries of hysteria are almost deafening … in a good way. We look forward to hearing and feeling the energy in the theater.

4.) Sincere welcome speeches

Warm, emotional and inspiring words of wisdom and gratitude are heard every year at the Freddie Awards. These young people have given themselves completely, sacrificing and supporting the dedicated support of the school, classmates, teachers and parents. This exciting program is worth watching if you listen to the stories of what it took to bring them to the stage. Keep a napkin box on hand.

5.) Incredible costume combinations

Close your eyes for a moment and come up with the craziest costume combinations on stage (and in the crowd) on the night of the show. From the horrible and strange members of Adam’s family to the colorful students of “Godspell” – this year’s bustle will be an impressive combination of incredible characters, unusual dance partners, as well as unexpectedly cheerful hugs and “give five”.

Audiences can watch the Freddy Awards 2022 TV production in action at the dress rehearsal.

Dress rehearsal: Tickets cost $ 25 for adults / $ 10 for students and include opening and closing numbers, joint performances by lead actors and actresses, and general rehearsals of music nominees. 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Party preview: Buffet at the 3rd & Ferry Fish Market, free drinks, open spaces on the mezzanine for rehearsals, wonderful quiet auctions and raffles, farewell gifts and more.

Cost $ 95 per person. A package of 6 tickets is available for $ 510. Freddie’s special alumni cost is $ 50.

Contact Gillian Rossi at jrossi@statetheatre.org or 610-258-7766 ext. 237 for “6 packages” of tickets.

Details on freddyawards.org

The editor of the morning call Arts & Entertainment and the author of the beer Craig Larimer can be contacted by phone 610-778-7993 or at clarimer@mcall.com