Winners were announced at the annual Basie Awards, honoring excellence and achievement in Monmouth County high school theatre. This year’s ceremony, presented by Bank of America, took place live at the historic Count Basie Center for the Arts, attracting a capacity crowd for what has become the biggest night of the year for area high school thespians.

“This year’s Basie Awards ceremony was an electrifying celebration of the performing arts,” said Anthony Greco, Basie Center Arts Education and Outreach Manager and co-producer of this year’s show. “Every year, the Basie Center gathers hundreds of students, actors, teachers, administrators, and families to celebrate high school theatre, and seemingly, the energy and excitement manages to get stronger. Congratulations to all of this year’s nominees!”

Freehold Regional High School District schools were among the night's winners. This year’s Basie Awards winners, by category, included:

DRAMAS & COMEDIES

• OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A COMEDY – MALE IDENTIFIED ROLE: Joshua Ricatti (Colts Neck High School, Don’t Tell Mother)

MUSICALS

• OUTSTANDING ALL STUDENT ORCHESTRA (Tie): Anthony Limaldi (Howell High School, Matilda)
• OUTSTANDING CHORUS IN A MUSICAL: Howell High School, Matilda
• OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY: Brittany Cohen (Howell High School, Matilda)
• OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL – FEMALE IDENTIFIED ROLE: Mia Suarez (Howell High School, Matilda)