Metro Awards: Re-watch the livestream

PURCHASE ‒ “Once” was more than enough for Brewster High School’s “Once on This Island,” named outstanding overall production at the 2025 Metro Awards Monday night at Purchase PAC.

The musical, a Calypso take on “The Little Mermaid” story, won the evening’s top prize. Its star, Arianna Arocho, was named outstanding leading actress for her portrayal of the tempest-tossed TiMoune, and little Ava Fernandez, who played Young TiMoune, was named outstanding child actor.

Brewster’s three Metros were the most awarded to any school in a contest that saw 29 of the 71 participating schools go home with at least one honor.

Pelham Memorial’s Liam Ginsburg was named outstanding lead actor for his portrayal of Bobby Strong in Pelham Memorial’s “Urinetown,” a production that also was honored for Joseph Egan’s scenic design.

Harrison High School’s “Mary Poppins” was honored for its choreographer, Deborah Toteda, and for its high-stepping production number, “Step In Time,” which featured tap-dancing chimney sweeps on the rooftops of London.

Mamaroneck’s production of “Grease” also garnered two awards, for its student orchestra and for a cameo performance by Isla Sommella as the over-achieving Patty Simcox. Pleasantville’s “The Music Man” also took home two Metro Awards, for Jacqueline Cerrati’s costume design and its chorus of River Citizens. Rye Country Day School’s “Head Over Heels” was honored for Colin Lauri’s comedic performance as Basilius and for its small group number, “Good Girls.”

Bergen County Academies, which had a dozen nominations, including outstanding overall production for “The Drowsy Chaperone,” won two: for the ensemble group of gangsters; and for featured female role, Eve Antonelli as Mrs. Tottendale. Rye Neck’s production of “Grease” won for Ania Washington’s lighting design and for Jian Kawai’s cameo role as Miss Lynch/Teen Angel.

Dobbs Ferry’s Bret Fox was honored for his direction of “Alice By Heart,” a colorful and moody take on “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” set in a London underground station during the World War II blitz, to a score by the team behind “Spring Awakening.”

It was a night full of awards and performances, the most of any Metros ceremony. There were production numbers from the seven schools nominated for outstanding overall production, an opening number featuring representatives from dozens of the participating musicals, and medleys by nominees for supporting actor and actress and leading actor and actress.

Who won the 2025 Metro Awards?

The winners of the 2025 Metro Awards, presented by the Helen Hayes Youth Theater at Purchase PAC on June 2:

Overall Production: Brewster’s “Once on This Island”

Leading Actor: Pelham’s “Urinetown,” Liam Ginsburg as Bobby Strong

Leading Actress: Brewster’s “Once On This Island,” Arianna Arocho as Ti Moune

Supporting Actor: St. Joseph’s “Footloose,” Joe Lizzi as Reverend Shaw Moore

Supporting Actress: Immaculate Heart Academy’s “Roald Dahl’s Matilda,” Katherine Ryan as Miss Honey

Director: Dobbs Ferry’s “Alice by Heart,” Bret Fox

Lobby Display: Dobbs Ferry’s “Alice by Heart,” Lauren Baird

Graphic Design: Clarkstown South’s “Mystic Pizza,” Callum Iorio

Student Critic: Emersen Armida, North Rockland

Comedic Performance – Male: Rye Country Day’s “Head Over Heels,” Colin Lauri as Basilius

Comedic Performance – Female: Kennedy Catholic’s “Shrek,” Gabriella Krimmelbein as Lord Farquaad

Student orchestra: Mamaroneck’s “Grease”

Student Pit Musician: Somers’ “Mean Girls,” Michael Abrams, guitar

Production Number: Harrison’s “Mary Poppins,” “Step in Time”

Stage crew: New Milford’s “Little Shop of Horrors”

Dance Performance – Male: Saddle River Day’s “Mamma Mia!,” Nadir Johnson as Sky

Dance Performance – Female: Albertus Magnus’ “The Addams Family,” Sandra Orozco as Morticia Addams

Choreography: Harrison’s “Mary Poppins,” Deborah Toteda

Hair and Makeup Design: Archbishop Stepinac’s “The Wiz,” Brenden DelBene and Matt Lotaj

Acting Performance – Male: Tuckahoe’s “Fiddler on the Roof,” Santiago Ortega-Brown as Tevye

Acting Performance – Female: Putnam Valley’s “Legally Blonde,” Hayley Craane as Elle Woods

Student Technical Achievement: The Metro went to (a tie): The Ursuline School’s “Legally Blonde Jr.,” Carly Tauber, student director and choreographer; and Sleepy Hollow’s “Mamma Mia!,” Madeleine Galloway, costume designer

Costume Design: Pleasantville’s “The Music Man,” Jacqueline Cerrati

Small Group Number: Rye Country Day’s “Head Over Heels,” “Good Girls”

Lighting Design: Rye Neck’s “Grease,” Ania Washington

Duet: Nyack’s “The Prom,” Emma R. Van Dorpe as Emma Nolan and Haylie Christiano as Alyssa Green, singing “Dance with You”

Music Direction: Ramsey’s “Into the Woods,” Matthew Wolf

Scenic Design: Pelham’s “Urinetown,” Joseph Egan

Chorus: Pleasantville’s “The Music Man”

Child Performer: Brewster’s “Once on This Island,” Ava Fernandez as Young TiMoune

Student Stage Manager: Mahwah’s “Anything Goes,” Evie Kroczynski and Rye’s “Grease,” Andrea Kamander

Vocal Performance – Male: Carmel’s “Little Shop of Horrors,” Jake Filangeri as Seymour Krelborn

Vocal Performance – Female: Ramsey’s “Into the Woods,” Madison Sovak as The Witch

Cameo Male: Rye Neck’s “Grease,” Jian Kawai as Miss Lynch/Teen Angel

Cameo Female: Mamaroneck’s “Grease,” Isla Sommella as Patty Simcox

Ensemble Group: Bergen County Academies’ “The Drowsy Chaperone” — Victoria Baturin, Emily Biesiadecki, Simone Charielle, Peace Egan, Isla Griswold, Isabella Irizarry, Anjali Mazurek, Jillian Montello, and Morgan Pallante as The Gangsters

Featured Role – Male: Eastchester’s “Guys and Dolls,” Samuel Frederick as Nicely Nicely Johnson

Featured Role – Female: Bergen County Academies’ “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Eve Antonelli as Mrs. Tottendale

How it unfolded, live from the The Metros

The show gets under way with an opening number “Dancing Through Life” sung by nominees, with dozens of sequined dancers. The crowd is getting into it and clapping along.

Hosts Grey Hudson and Kate Rockwell took to the podium. The stars of “Mean Girls” introduced each other with their extensive bios.

Performance: “Urinetown”

First up of the overall-production nominees is Pelham Memorial High School’s “Urinetown,” filling the stage with desperate denizens of a public amenity in a seedy part of town. Led by Bobby Strong, the rebels take action and are pursued (very slowly) by the authorities.

Lobby Display

The nominees: Dobbs Ferry’s “Alice by Heart,” Lauren Baird; Don Bosco Prep’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” Chris Crawford, Mercedes Delgado, Sheri Dennehy, Marie Neal, Jade Snyder, and DBP Fine Arts students; Mamaroneck’s “Grease,” Allison Parsley and Christine Prezioso; New Rochelle’s “Pippin,” Lili Guraj, Lucas Lee, Daniel O’Malley, Ally Oteri, Wren Wert; Nyack’s “The Prom,” Stella Artin, Giuliana Caselnova, Lena Frappier, Sam Kono, Julia Lichtman, Matilde Martignoni, Annalee Modafferi, Eli Mor, David Nevitt, Maksim Newton, June Novak, Sophia Novak, Isabella Patuto, Sophia Perlin, Ket Rossiter,  Ruby Schutzbank, Heidi Sicha, Adriana Valladeres, and Liana Venturella; Pleasantville’s “The Music Man,” Maria Peters, Abby Callahan and Jadyn Serebin; Rutherford’s “Mary Poppins,” Courtney McManus, Morgan Sherlock, and Matt Vaccaro; St. Joseph’s “Footloose,” Joanna Ariyan, John Asselta, Traci Broderick, Kim Buscher, Liam Fitzsimons, Lisa Fox,  Carla Germinario, Andrea Higgins, Nicholas Pantano, Susan Van Buskirk, Margaret Weckstein, and Brooke Wiener

And the Metro went to Dobbs Ferry’s “Alice by Heart,” Lauren Baird.

Graphic Design

The nominees: Clarkstown South’s “Mystic Pizza,” Callum Iorio; Fort Lee’s “Rent,” Eldric Etra; Hastings’ “Mamma Mia!,” Hajeong Lee; Mahwah’s “Anything Goes,” Alexandra Lazar; New Milford’s “Little Shop of Horrors,” Jaime Lyback; North Rockland’s “The Addams Family,” Jullian Mrsich; Nyack’s “The Prom,” Ket Rossiter; Ossining’s “The Addams Family,” June Salo

And the Metro went to Clarkstown South’s “Mystic Pizza.”

The Metros announced a New York Film Academy partnership, in the form of scholarships, to Donovan Russell, Lucas Guerrero, Josh Fitzpatrick, Emiko Dunn and Sayuri Tua.

Student Critic

The nominees: Victoria Baturin, Bergen County Academies, Veronica Babiuk, Blind Brook; Ella Zamek, Harrison; Castalia Litos, Hendrick Hudson; Zoya Nabeel, Horace Greeley; Naomi Yadav, Mamaroneck; Emerse Armida, North Rockland; Darah Pergament, Pleasantville; Payton Ferraguzzi, Putnam Valley; Vivienne Virostko, Rutherford; Lily Leand, Rye Country Day; James McNally, Scarsdale

The Metro went to Emersen Armida, North Rockland. She thanked her family, North Rockland. “Writing is my passion, so it’s a beautiful feeling to be recognized for it,” she said.

Performance: Actors in a Supporting Role

The nominees struck poses as they were introduced and then went into their solos, from “The Drowsy Chaperone,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Into the Woods,” “Footloose,” “Mean Girls,” “The Wizard of Oz,” and “Mamma Mia.” That list of musicals gives some idea of the range of offerings at the 71 participating schools this year.

Comedic Performance – Male

The Nominees: Carmel’s “Little Shop of Horrors,” Marco Miralles as Orin Scrivello, D.D.S.; Immaculate Heart Academy’s “Matilda,” Nicholas Pantano as Mr. Wormwood; Lodi’s “Mean Girls,” Nova (Connor) Boehm as Damian Hubbard; Northern Highlands’ “The Prom,” Henry Roberts as Barry Glickman; North Rockland’s “The Addams Family,” Joseph Call as Fester; Pelham’s “Urinetown,” Jeremy Tam as Caldwell B. Cladwell; Rye Country Day’s “Head Over Heels,” Colin Lauri as Basilius; Woodlands’ “Footloose,” Jake Morton as Willard

The Metro went to: Rye Country Day’s “Head Over Heels,” Colin Lauri as Basilius.

Comedic Performance – Female

The nominees: Clarkstown South’s “Mystic Pizza,” Autumn Nardini as JoJo Barboza; Fair Lawn’s “Mamma Mia!,” Mariella Galdieri as Rosie Mulligan; Hackensack’s “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” Julianna Lala as Sally Brown; Kennedy Catholic’s “Shrek,” Gabriella Krimmelbein as Lord Farquaad; Northern Valley/Old Tappan’s “Peter Pan,” Nicole Garcia as Smee; Ossining’s “The Addams Family,” Sayuri Tua as Grandma; Somers’ “Mean Girls,” Fiona Sledzik as Gretchen Wieners; The Leffell School’s “The Addams Family,” Chloe Kornberg as Alice Beineke.

The Metro went to: Kennedy Catholic’s “Shrek,” Gabriella Krimmelbein as Lord Farquaad. Gabriella thanked her cast and crew and her parents in the front row. “Never give up on your dreams. God loves you. And good night.”

Ian Driver: Purchase PAC

Driver, a longtime director at Briarcliff, now heads the PAC. He said he knows the level of talent in the room and encouraged the attendees to consider Purchase as a college choice.

“If you’re looking for a creative community where you can thrive, don’t be a stranger, this college will be a friend to you,” he said.

Student orchestra

The nominees: Brewster’s “Once on This Island”; Clarkstown North’s “The Music Man”; Mamaroneck’s “Grease”; North Rockland’s “The Addams Family”; Tappan Zee’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”; Tuckahoe’s “Fiddler on the Roof”; White Plains’ “Pippin”

The Metro went to: Mamaroneck’s “Grease.” “There’s nothing better than playing a show,” said one of the winners.

Performance: St. Joseph Regional High School’s “Footloose”

Student Pit Musician

The nominees: Clarkstown North’s “The Music Man,” Valerie Silverman, reed 2; Pascack Regional’s “Legally Blonde,” Carolyn Veit, trumpet 1; Ramapo (NY)’s “Little Shop of Horrors,” Mia Hernandez, drums; Rutherford’s “Mary Poppins,” Sophia Clossey, clarinet; Scarsdale’s “Chicago,” Chen Lei, trumpet 1; Somers’ “Mean Girls,” Michael Abrams, guitar; Tuckahoe’s “Fiddler on the Roof,” Nico Tortorella, violin; White Plains’ “Pippin,” Frankie Flora, drums

The Metro went to: Somers’ “Mean Girls,” Michael Abrams, guitar. He thanked his music director and the cast of “Mean Girls” “for being such an amazing cast to work with.”

Production Number

The nominees: Archbishop Stepinac’s “The Wiz,” “Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News”; Blind Brook’s “Pippin,” “Magic to Do”; Clarkstown North’s “The Music Man,” “Shipoopi”; Eastchester’s “Guys and Dolls,” “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat”; Harrison’s “Mary Poppins,” “Step in Time”; Horace Greeley’s “Anastasia,” “Land of Yesterday”; Immaculate Heart Academy’s “Matilda,” “Revolting Children”; Putnam Valley’s “Legally Blonde,” “What You Want”

The Metro went to: Harrison’s “Mary Poppins,” “Step in Time.” The winners thanked everyone from the cast and pit to the stage crew, director Halle Mastroberardino and choreographer Deborah Toteda and technical director Noah Platte.

Stage crew

The nominees: Glen Rock’s “Something Rotten!,” Hendrick Hudson’s “Hello, Dolly!,” New Milford’s “Little Shop of Horrors”; North Rockland’s “The Addams Family”; North Salem’s “The Little Mermaid”; Ramapo (NY)’s “Little Shop of Horrors”; Rye’s “Grease”; Rye Neck’s “Grease”

The Metro went to: New Milford’s “Little Shop of Horrors.” The winner thanked the cast, crew and the puppets.

Performance: Dobbs Ferry’s ‘Alice by Heart’

The musical, set in a London Underground station during the Blitz in World War II, comes from the team behind “Spring Awakening.” Dobbs Ferry’s cast inhabited the world of “Alice in Wonderland,” as young Alice tells the story from memory to her dying friend.

Dance Performance – Male

The nominees: Archbishop Stepinac’s “The Wiz,” Jonathan Guzman as Scarecrow; Bergen County Academies’ “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Edo Turner as Robert Martin; Bergenfield’s “The Addams Family,” Matthew Quintana as Gomez Addams; Don Bosco Prep’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” Zavier Aviles as Captain Phoebus de Martin; Ramapo  (NJ)’s “Xanadu,” Jack Garris as Hermes; Rutherford’s “Mary Poppins,” Nick Scaglione as Bert; Saddle River Day’s “Mamma Mia!,” Nadir Johnson as Sky; White Plains’ “Pippin,” Lance Anthony as Pippin

The Metro went to: Saddle River Day’s “Mamma Mia!,” Nadir Johnson as Sky. Nadir came to the stage and noted the large crowd. He thanked his mother and grandmother for picking him up late from rehearsals and his director for pushing him.

Dance Performance – Female

The nominees: Academy of Holy Angels’ “Cinderella,” Caitlin Liau, ensemble; Albertus Magnus’ “The Addams Family,” Sandra Orozco as Morticia Addams; Northern Valley/Old Tappan’s “Peter Pan,” Carol Mendes as Tiger Lily; Pascack Regional’s “Legally Blonde,” Camilla Ambrocio as Brooke Wyndham; Rutherford’s “Mary Poppins,” Emma Tuccino as Neleus; Scarsdale’s “Chicago,” Adena Zitrin as Hunyak; Tuckahoe’s “Fiddler on the Roof,” Evi Krystallis as Chava; White Plains’ “Pippin,” Anissa Bagby as Leading Player

The Metro went to: Albertus Magnus’ “The Addams Family,” Sandra Orozco as Morticia Addams. She thanked her directors, one of whom is her father, Cesar Orozco. She thanked her parents for supporting her in “my crazy dreams.”

Choreography

The nominees: Bergen County Academies’ “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Eboni Edwards; Blind Brook’s “Pippin,” Lauren Tartaglia Guivas; Brewster’s “Once on This Island,” Nikki Sanders Siriani; Eastchester’s “Guys and Dolls,” Mara Davi; Harrison’s “Mary Poppins,” Deborah Toteda; Kennedy Catholic’s “Shrek,” Barbara Rue; Mamaroneck’s “Grease,” Allison Parsley; Pelham’s “Urinetown,” Jesse Pellegrino

The Metro went to: Harrison’s “Mary Poppins,” Deborah Toteda. When she arrived at podium, Toteda was surprised by former students and a colleague, including former Harrison student Peter Neureuther, currently in “Old Friends” on Broadway. “This is almost better than the award,” Toteda said.

Performance: Actresses in a supporting roles

The seven actresses sang solos from “The Drowsy Chaperone,” “Head Over Heels,” “The Prom,” “Footloose,” “Les Miserables,” “Xanadu,” and “Matilida.” The took the focus and gave it, just like great supporting actresses.

Hair and Makeup Design

The nominees: Archbishop Stepinac’s “The Wiz,” Brenden DelBene and Matt Lotaj; Immaculate Heart Academy’s “Matilda,” Derek Alfano and Nancy Reynolds; New Rochelle’s “Pippin,” Gina Pizzolo and Gabbie Rizzo; North Salem’s “The Little Mermaid,” Markiss Jackson; Ossining’s “The Addams Family,” the cast; Pleasantville’s “The Music Man,” Lisa Cascardo; Port Chester’s “The Addams Family,” Jose Chiriboga Pintado Jr. and the cast and makeup crew; The Leffell School’s “The Addams Family,” Toby Steiner

The Metro went to: Archbishop Stepinac’s “The Wiz,” Brenden DelBene and Matt Lotaj. They thanked the Metros, director Frank Portanova for letting alumni to come back to be a part of their show. They also thanked Beyonce “for inspiring us every day.”

Acting Performance – Male

The nominees: Bronxville’s “Mamma Mia!,” Will Sousa as Bill Austin; Dobbs Ferry’s “Alice by Heart,” Finnegan Carlsten as Alfred Hallam/White Rabbit/March Hare; Don Bosco Prep’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” James Coleman as Quasimodo; Dumont’s “Little Shop of Horrors,” Joseph Floro as Audrey II; Northern Valley/Demarest’s “Anastasia,” Nathan Rozenblit as Vlad; Nyack’s “The Prom,” Trey Schloss as Trent Oliver; Tuckahoe’s “Fiddler on the Roof,” Santiago Ortega-Brown as Tevye; Valhalla’s “Cinderella,” Leonidas Toth as Sebastian

The Metro went to: Tuckahoe’s “Fiddler on the Roof,” Santiago Ortega-Brown as Tevye. “‘Fiddler’ and playing Tevye is something I’ll always cherish,” he said.

Acting Performance – Female

The nominees: Bergenfield’s “The Addams Family,” Laila Little as Alice Beineke; Byram Hills’ “Chicago,” Darby Schlosser as Roxie Hart; Carmel’s “Little Shop of Horrors,” Téa Sedlarcik as Audrey; Northern Valley/Demarest’s “Anastasia,” Alexa Weiss as Anya/Anastasia; North Salem’s “The Little Mermaid,” Isabella LeClair as Ursula; Pelham’s “Urinetown,” Grace Kiamie as Hope Cladwell; Putnam Valley’s “Legally Blonde,” Hayley Craane as Elle Woods; Rye Country Day’s “Head Over Heels,” Vree Tuncer as Gynecia

The Metro went to: Putnam Valley’s “Legally Blonde,” Hayley Craane as Elle Woods. Hayley said playing Elle was a great way to finish her high school career and thanked her cast, director and choreographer for the opportunity.

Performance: Mamaroneck’s “Grease”

The kids from Rydell High took to the stage to sing “You’re the One That I Want.” Soon, the stage was jammed with twitching, twisting high-schoolers.

Student Technical Achievement

The nominees: Eastchester’s “Guys and Dolls,” Jackson Boyer, props master; Hastings’ “Mamma Mia!,” Marcus Galland, student lighting designer; Lakeland’s “Little Shop of Horrors,” Emma Garretto and Shane Gorman, sound designer and technician; Northern Valley/Old Tappan’s “Peter Pan,” Matthew Mancinelli, student lighting designer and sound board operator; Pascack Regional’s “Legally Blonde,” Daniela Grecy, Sadie Huang, Kennedy Rose Jean, and Jesse Merker, company managers (head and assistants); Port Chester’s “The Addams Family,” Anthony Jimenez, props designer; Ramapo (NY)’s “Little Shop of Horrors,” Chinemelum Maduekwe and Laii Mondesir, promotional team; The Ursuline School’s “Legally Blonde Jr.,” Carly Tauber,  student director and choreographer; Scarsdale’s “Chicago,” Camille Lombaerde, costume head; Sleepy Hollow’s “Mamma Mia!,” Madeleine Galloway, costume designer; Tuckahoe’s “Fiddler on the Roof,” Audriana Handy, social media manager; Westwood’s “Mamma Mia!,” Gabriella Martinez, costume chief

The Metro went to: The Ursuline School’s “Legally Blonde Jr.,” Carly Tauber, student director and choreographer; and Sleepy Hollow’s “Mamma Mia!,” Madeleine Galloway, costume designer. Galloway said the honor was “crazy for so many reasons, because I’m coming here to study next year.” Tauber thanked her family and the directors who have helped her along the way.

Costume Design

The nominees: Albertus Magnus’ “The Addams Family,” Zamira Briceno; Hendrick Hudson’s “Hello, Dolly!,” Erica Denler; Horace Greeley’s “Anastasia,” Deliah Fioretti, Jessica Applebaum, and DB Productions; Kennedy Catholic’s “Shrek,” Annette DiGrandi; Midland Park’s “Shrek,” Sierra Weissner; North Salem’s “The Little Mermaid,” Markiss Jackson; Pleasantville’s “The Music Man,” Jacqueline Cerrati; Ramapo (NJ)’s “Xanadu,” Becca Corrado

The Metro went to: Pleasantville’s “The Music Man,” Jacqueline Cerrati. She thanked her director, Nadia Rizzo, the cast and crew and the “Costume Moms” who helped create all the costumes for the River Citizens.

Small Group Number

The nominees: Academy of Holy Angels’ “Cinderella,” “Stepsister’s Lament”; Archbishop Stepinac’s “The Wiz,” “Slide Some Oil To Me”; Bergen Catholic’s “Grease,” “Freddy, My Love”; Eastchester’s “Guys and Dolls,” “Fugue For Tin Horns”; Hendrick Hudson’s “Hello, Dolly!,” “Elegance”; Rye Country Day’s “Head Over Heels,” “Good Girls”; St. Joseph’s “Footloose,” “Learning to Be Silent”; “Matchmaker”; Westwood’s “Mamma Mia!,” “Dancing Queen”

The Metro went to: Rye Country Day’s “Head Over Heels,” “Good Girls.”

Performance: Brewster’s “Once on This Island’

The island-retelling of “The Little Mermaid” story features gods of love, death, water and earth. The song “Pray” marks the vigil TiMoune holds over the body of the wounded Daniel, a man from the white community far from her peasant home.

Lighting Design

The nominees: Academy of Holy Angels’ “Cinderella,” Frank Borrelli; Eastchester’s “Guys and Dolls,” Nicholas Sochan; Immaculate Heart Academy’s “Matilda,” Nikki Belenski; Pascack Regional’s “Legally Blonde,” Sasha Finley; Putnam Valley’s “Legally Blonde,” Noah Platte; Rye Neck’s “Grease,” Ania Washington; St. Joseph’s “Footloose,” Asa Lipton; Tuckahoe’s “Fiddler on the Roof,” Andrew Gmoser and Silent G Productions

The Metro went to: Rye Neck’s “Grease,” Ania Washington. Cyndi Feinman, Rye Neck’s director, accepted on Washington’s behalf.

Duet

The nominees: Academy of Holy Angels’ “Cinderella,” Eva Zazzali as Ella and Derek Bedell as Topher, singing “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?”; Don Bosco Prep’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” Lulu Oliveri as Esmerelda and Zavier Aviles as Captain Phoebus de Martin, singing “Someday”; Glen Rock’s “Something Rotten!,” Vivaan Motwani as Nigel and Lydia Mehreteab as Portia, singing “I Love the Way”; Nyack’s “The Prom,” Emma R. Van Dorpe as Emma Nolan and Haylie Christiano as Alyssa Green, singing “Dance with You”; Ramapo  (NJ)’s “Xanadu,” Alexis Ulmer as Melpomene and Angelina Bruno as Calliope, singing “Evil Woman”; Ramsey’s “Into the Woods,” Nate Algor as The Baker and Emily Kenny as The Baker’s Wife, singing “It Takes Two”; Sleepy Hollow’s “Mamma Mia!,” Isabella Perkins as Donna Sheridan and Erika Santocki as Sophie Sheridan, singing “Slipping Through My Fingers”; White Plains’ “Pippin,” Anissa Bagby as Leading Player and Lance Anthony as Pippin, singing “On The Right Track”

The Metro went to: Nyack’s “The Prom,” Emma R. Van Dorpe as Emma Nolan and Haylie Christiano as Alyssa Green, singing “Dance with You.” Haylie thanked the cast and crew and Emma was speechless, saying: “Thank you!”

Music Direction

The nominees: Academy of Holy Angels’ “Cinderella,” Michael Wada; Bergen County Academies’ “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Hannah Elarmo; Blind Brook’s “Pippin,” Jessica Cerasoli; Dobbs Ferry’s “Alice by Heart,” Georgia DeFalco; Hendrick Hudson’s “Hello, Dolly!” Erica Denler; Mamaroneck’s “Grease,” Anne Crozier; Ramsey’s “Into the Woods,” Matthew Wolf; Westwood’s “Mamma Mia!,” Joseph Fritz

The Metro went to: Ramsey’s “Into the Woods,” Matthew Wolf. Wolf thanked his director, girlfriend and cast, who met the challenge of “Into the Woods” “with grace and talent.” He also applauded his fellow theater educators.

Performances: Leading actor

In a funny bit, the medley was narrated by Bergen County Academies’ Daniel Lukatsky as the Man In Chair, introducing his fellow nominees as if they were the stars of his favorite cast albums. Again, a remarkable range of shows represented here: “Cinderella,” “The Drowsy Chaperone,” “Urinetown,” “The Music Man,” “Into the Woods,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” and “Footloose.”

Scenic Design

The nominees: Dobbs Ferry’s “Alice by Heart,” Jeffrey Gonzalez; Horace Greeley’s  “Anastasia,” Steve Loftus; Immaculate Heart Academy’s “Matilda,” Vincent Gunn; Midland Park’s “Shrek,” Vincent Gunn; New Milford’s “Little Shop of Horrors,” Jim Africano and Bill Barton; Pascack Regional’s “Legally Blonde,” Vincent Gunn; Pelham’s “Urinetown,” Joseph Egan; Rye Neck’s “Grease,” Vincent Gunn

The Metro went to: Pelham’s “Urinetown,” Joseph Egan. Co-director Tom Beck accepted on his behalf and thanked the Metros for “leading with kindness.” And a crew member quipped that the crew “put our blood, sweat and urine into this.”

Chorus

The nominees: Bergen County Academies’ “The Drowsy Chaperone”; Bronxville’s “Mamma Mia!”; Harrison’s “Mary Poppins”; Midland Park’s “Shrek”; Pelham’s “Urinetown”;  Pleasantville’s “The Music Man”; Somers’ “Mean Girls”; Westwood’s “Mamma Mia!”

The Metro went to: Pleasantville’s “The Music Man.” A cluster of what could have been pick-a-little ladies took to the podium to express their gratitude.

Child Performer

The nominees: Blind Brook’s “Pippin,” Annie Dore; Brewster’s “Once on This Island,” Ava Fernandez as Young TiMoune; Clarkstown North’s “The Music Man,” Hunter Zhou as Winthrop Paroo; Horace Greeley’s “Anastasia,” Emily Albin Lackey as Young Anya; North Salem’s “The Little Mermaid,” Raul Saez as Flounder; Pleasantville’s “The Music Man,” Leroy LaBlanc and Caleb Healey as Winthrop Paroo; Rutherford’s “Mary Poppins,” Alex Redden as Jane Banks; White Plains’ “Pippin,” Alon Greenberg as Theo

The Metro went to: Brewster’s “Once on This Island,” Ava Fernandez as Young TiMoune. Little Ava thanked her moma and dad, her brother and “everyone who supported me and Miss Nikki (her director).” In true pro fashion, she also thanked her “Once on This Island” cast and crew.

Student Stage Manager

The nominees: Academy of Holy Angels’ “Cinderella,” Catherine Raimondi; Harrison’s “Mary Poppins,” Callum Robertson; Hastings’ “Mamma Mia!,” Sylvie Black; Lodi’s “Mean Girls,” Emma Pontier; Mahwah’s “Anything Goes,” Evie Kroczynski; New Rochelle’s “Pippin,” Wren Wert; North Salem’s “The Little Mermaid,” Hazel Northshield; Northern Valley/Demarest’s “Anastasia,” Jamie Collins; Northern Valley/Old Tappan’s “Peter Pan,” Amanda Haenelt & Grey Ingledue; Ramapo (NY)’s “Little Shop of Horrors,” Ariana Aguirre; Rye’s “Grease,” Andrea Kamander; The Masters School’s “Mamma Mia!,” Alex Carnevale

The Metro went to: Mahwah’s “Anything Goes,” Evie Kroczynski and Rye’s “Grease,” Andrea Kamander

Performance: Bergen County Academies’ ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’

The cast of the valentine to musicals filled the stage with “Toledo Surprise,” a loopy production number based on gangsters who are posing as pastry chefs. The number was complete with a skipping record, which had the cast hopping in step.

Vocal Performance – Male

The nominees: Brewster’s “Once on This Island,” Zachary Simmons as Daniel Beauxhomme; Bronxville’s “Mamma Mia!,” Kingsley Knecht as Harry Bright; Carmel’s “Little Shop of Horrors,” Jake Filangeri as Seymor Krelborn; Lyndhurst’s “Les Miserables,” Rayan Yamout as Marius; New Rochelle’s “Pippin,” Alan Dimond as Pippin; Ramapo  (NJ)’s “Xanadu,” Zachary Calderone as Sonny Malone; Sleepy Hollow’s “Mamma Mia!,” Chris Cesarano as Sam Carmichael; The Ursuline School’s “Legally Blonde Jr.,” Quinn O’Brien as Emmett Forrest

The Metro went to: Carmel’s “Little Shop of Horrors,” Jake Filangeri as Seymour Krelborn. He thanked his parents for putting up with him and he thanked the

Vocal Performance – Female

The nominees: Archbishop Stepinac’s “The Wiz,” Dorian Douce as Aunt Em; Clarkstown South’s “Mystic Pizza,” Juliana Rand as Kat Arujo; Immaculate Heart Academy’s “Matilda,” Lily Yezdanian as Mrs. Wormwood; Mamaroneck’s “Grease,” Florence Haines   as Sandy Dombrowski; The Masters School’s “Mamma Mia!” Amara Kaur as Sophie Sheridan; Pleasantville’s “The Music Man,” Olivia Huling as Marian Paroo; Ramsey’s “Into the Woods,” Madison Sovak as The Witch; Sleepy Hollow’s “Mamma Mia!,” Erika Santocki as Sophie Sheridan

The Metro went to: Ramsey’s “Into the Woods,” Madison Sovak as The Witch. “This means so much. I’ve had a rough time in high school and theater was the thing that got me through,” she said.

Cameo Male

The nominees: Archbishop Stepinac’s “The Wiz,” Benjamin Joseph as Gatekeeper; Byram Hills’s “Chicago,” Aiden Lipton as Fred Casley; Mamaroneck’s “Grease,” Alex Gross as Vince Fontaine; Ossining’s “The Addams Family,” Dylan Alter as Lurch; Pelham’s “Urinetown,” Will Russello as Old Man Strong; Rye’s “Grease,” Jasper Singh as Eugene Florczyk; Rye Neck’s “Grease,” Jian Kawai as Miss Lynch/Teen Angel

The Metro went to: Rye Neck’s “Grease,” Jian Kawai as Miss Lynch/Teen Angel. Jian, who played two completely different characters. a stage is a place where people can shine without regard to the length of their role, he said, before thanking the friend who made him his sparkly jacket.

Cameo Female

The nominees: Brewster’s “Once On This Island,” Maeve Looby as Andrea Devereaux; Dobbs Ferry’s “Alice by Heart,” Annabella Javier as Nigel/Dormouse; Fair Lawn’s “Mamma Mia!,” Mia Cappella as Lisa; Fort Lee’s “Rent,” Alexis Ovalle as “Seasons of Love” soloist; Mamaroneck’s “Grease,” Isla Sommella as Patty Simcox; Putnam Valley’s “Legally Blonde,” Vienna Toteda as Serena; St. Joseph’s “Footloose,” Eva Zazzali as Wendy Jo

The Metro went to: Mamaroneck’s “Grease,” Isla Sommella as Patty Simcox. “Hi,” she said, before thanking her friends. She said the role let her act like herself. She thanked her mom, her director, her cast and “everyone.”

Performance: Leading actress nominees

More remarkable variety from the leading ladies. From “I Need a Hero” (Footloose) to “All That Jazz” (Chicago) to “Practically Perfect” (Mary Poppins) to “Waiting for Life” (Once on This Island) to “Unruly Heart” (The Prom) to “Under Attack” (Mamma Mia) to “I’ve Shrunk Enough” (Alice by Heart). And some lovely harmonies.

Ensemble Group

The nominees: Bergen County Academies’ “The Drowsy Chaperone” — Victoria Baturin, Emily Biesiadecki, Simone Charielle, Peace Egan, Isla Griswold, Isabella Irizarry, Anjali Mazurek, Jillian Montello, and Morgan Pallante as The Gangsters; Brewster’s “Once on This Island” — Tessa Boissonnault, Emiko Dunn, Mikaela Russano, and Christian Sciarrillo as The Gods; Clarkstown North’s “The Music Man” — Aydin Bacharach, Alex Brewer, Gabby Chazan, Bayani Medina as The Barbershop Quartet; Kennedy Catholic’s “Shrek” — Addie Atkins, Viola Connelly, Alex Curra, Johnathan Davis, Giselle Esteves, Alina Fabian-Forero, Odette Flores, Mikaela Gertner, William Graham, Sophia Lombardi, Erynn Lopez, Brooklyn Manzke, Ariana Noa, Victoria O’Connor, Abigail Parker, Karen Reed, Adrianna Torres as the Fairytale Creatures; Mamaroneck’s “Grease” — Owen Barnes, Harrison Beckwith, Chris Gilder, Andrew Kohler, and Jason Robalino as The Burger Shop Boys; Paramus’s “The Wizard of Oz” — Caitlin Coyle, Madalin Kehoe, and Sofia Wilkins as The Trees; Tappan Zee’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” — Ella Adamo, Natalie Aponte, Jane Greenway, and Lucy Ramirez as The Narrators; Westlake’s “Les Miserables” — Jason Chiera, Brady Fitzgerald, Michael McKiernan, Justin Micelli, Michael Newell, Andrew Pagano, Logan Piñerio, Lucas Piñeiro, Ethan Roazzi, Sean Samoyedny, Jeff Sliss as The Students

The Metro went to: Bergen County Academies’ “The Drowsy Chaperone” — Victoria Baturin, Emily Biesiadecki, Simone Charielle, Peace Egan, Isla Griswold, Isabella Irizarry, Anjali Mazurek, Jillian Montello, and Morgan Pallante as The Gangsters. They returned to the stage, wearing their pastry chef costumes. “Turning this two person role into a nine-person ensemble was a wild ride,” one of the winners said.

Featured Male-Identified Role

The nominees: Blind Brook’s “Pippin,” Josh Fitzpatrick as Charlemagne; Eastchester’s “Guys and Dolls,” Samuel Frederick as Nicely Nicely Johnson; Lyndhurst’s “Les Miserables,” Lucas Guerrero as Enjolras; Mahwah’s “Anything Goes,” Zachary O’Connell as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh; Mamaroneck’s “Grease,” Harrison Beckwith as Doody; Westlake’s “Les Miserables,” Tycho Force as Thenardier; Westwood’s “Mamma Mia!,” Donald Trammell as Pepper

The Metro went to: Eastchester’s “Guys and Dolls,” Samuel Frederick as Nicely Nicely Johnson. Sam took to the stage and deadpanned. “Whoever the owner of the white sedan. you left your lights on,” he said. He then thanked his parents, his cast, crew and his director, Jeremy Messmer.

Featured Female-Identified Role

The nominees:  Bergen County Academies’ “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Eve Antonelli as Mrs. Tottendale; Dobbs Ferry’s “Alice By Heart,” Sloane DiSimone as Dodgy/Duchess; Dumont’s “Little Shop of Horrors,” Shiloh Vincent as Chiffon; Harrison’s “Mary Poppins,” Alicia Zihenni as Miss Andrews; New Rochelle’s “Pippin,” Gabby Cohen as Berthe; Pascack Regional’s “Legally Blonde,” Liv Carpenter as Vivian Kensington; Putnam Valley’s “Legally Blonde,” Marissa Carraturo as Brooke Wyndham

The Metro went to: Bergen County Academies’ “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Eve Antonelli as Mrs. Tottendale.

Performance: Pleasantville’s ‘The Music Man’

The cast of Pleasantville’s music was so large, it probably dwarfed some Iowa towns. The company went through a medley, from “Iowa Stubborn” to “Trouble” to “Good Night, Ladies/Pick-a-Little” to “Shipoopi” to “Till There Was You” to “Seventy-Six Trombones.” Complete with trombones that lit up.

Supporting Male-Identified Role

The nominees: Bergen County Academies’ “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Jack Glass as Aldolpho; Dwight-Englewood’s “Mean Girls,” Jian Harrell as Damian Hubbard; Eastchester’s “Guys and Dolls,” Matthew Gutierrez as Nathan Detroit; Paramus’ “The Wizard of Oz,” Brandon Lattanzi as Scarecrow; Ramsey’s “Into the Woods,” Lucas Abraham as Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince; St. Joseph’s “Footloose,” Joe Lizzi as Reverend Shaw Moore; The Masters School’s “Mamma Mia!,” Jack Sobolewski as Harry Bright

The Metro went to: St. Joseph’s “Footloose,” Joe Lizzi as Reverend Shaw Moore. Joe thanked the Metros. “It’s such a great honor. I’d like to thank God, nothing’s possible without God.” He thanked his fellow nominees, whom he got to know in the past two days and his directors and creative team. And he thanked his mother for “always being there.”

Supporting actress

The nominees: Bergen County Academies’ “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Amaya Romero as The Drowsy Chaperone; Immaculate Heart Academy’s “Roald Dahl’s Matilda,” Katherine Ryan as Miss Honey; Lyndhurst’s “Les Miserables,” Angelina Brennan as Fantine; Nyack’s “The Prom,” Haylie Christiano as Alyssa Greene; Ramapo (NJ)’s “Xanadu,” Alexis Ulmer as Melpomene; Rye Country Day’s “Head Over Heels,” Dominique Alvarez as Mopsa; St. Joseph’s “Footloose,” Addie Harrington as Vi Moore

The Metro went to: Immaculate Heart Academy’s “Roald Dahl’s Matilda,” Katherine Ryan as Miss Honey. She thanked her director, producer, choreographer, set designer and her parents. “And my best friend, Derek, for being there when I needed you the most.”

Director

The nominees: Bergen County Academies’ “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Stephen Kaplan; Dobbs Ferry’s “Alice by Heart,” Bret Fox; Eastchester’s “Guys and Dolls,” Jeremy Messmer; Pelham’s “Urinetown,” Thomas Beck Jr. and Neil Schleifer; Pleasantville’s “The Music Man,” Nadia A. Rizzo; Ramsey’s “Into the Woods,” Christopher Mark Peterson; Rye Country Day’s “Head Over Heels,” Jeffrey Hogan; St. Joseph’s “Footloose,” Steven Collins

The Metro went to: Dobbs Ferry’s “Alice by Heart,” Bret Fox. Fox leapt down the row of excited kids and onto the stage. He hugged host Kate Rockwell. “I’m going to make this so short, I promise, because it’s a long night.” He thanked fellow nominees Tom Beck and Neil Schleifer “who I grew up with.” “Theater is magic. The key is in you,” he said.

Leading Actor

The nominees: Academy of Holy Angels’ “Cinderella,” Derek Bedell as Topher; Bergen County Academies’ “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Daniel Lukatsky as The Man in Chair; Pelham’s “Urinetown,” Liam Ginsburg as Bobby Strong; Pleasantville’s “The Music Man,” Colin Rubsamen as Harold Hill; Ramsey’s “Into the Woods,” Nate Algor as The Baker; Tappan Zee’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Daniel Lipari as Joseph; Woodlands’ “Footloose,” Donovan Russell as Ren McCormack

The Metro went to: Pelham’s “Urinetown,” Liam Ginsburg as Bobby Strong. Ginsburg thanked the producers. “This award is incredible, but the great thing about doing these shows is the support system I’ve had. you know who you are and thank you so much.”

Leading Actress

The nominees: Brewster’s “Once On This Island,” Arianna Arocho as Ti Moune; Byram Hills’ “Chicago,” Eve Nepo as Velma Kelly; Dobbs Ferry’s “Alice By Heart,” Isla Baird as Alice Spencer; Fair Lawn’s “Mamma Mia!,” Michal Semory Gertler as Sophie Sheridan; Harrison’s “Mary Poppins,” Tessa Marsico as Mary Poppins; Nyack’s “The Prom,” Emma R. Van Dorpe as Emma Nolan; St. Joseph’s “Footloose,” Emily Kenny as Ariel Moore

The Metro went to: Brewster’s “Once On This Island,” Arianna Arocho as Ti Moune. Arianna apologized for her voice, which was hoarse. The message of ‘Once on This Island’ is one we should hold.” She thanked her creative team, her parents “for letting me follow my dream, and my siblings. I’m so blessed, so grateful.”

Overall Production

The nominees: Bergen County Academies, “The Drowsy Chaperone”; Brewster, “Once on This Island”; Dobbs Ferry, “Alice by Heart”; Mamaroneck, “Grease”; Pelham, “Urinetown”; Pleasantville, “The Music Man”; St. Joseph’s, “Footloose”

The Metro went to: Brewster’s “Once on This Island.”

Director Nikki Siriani waited for her cast to assemble, down to the littlest TiMounes. “Once on This Island” was a huge undertaking. I’d like to thank by production team, and this incredible cast. I’m so very proud of you. To my seniors, I think I did right by you with this show.”

This year, 71 schools participated in the Metros: 33 schools in Westchester, 28 in Bergen, three in Putnam and seven in Rockland. The Metros are presented by Nyack’s Helen Hayes Youth Theater and produced by Danielle Rudess, Blake Spence and Jordan Singer.

What was new at the 2025 Metro Awards?

There will be changes at this year’s Metro Awards.

Which schools were up for several 2025 Metro Awards?

Many schools have multiple nominations in the 38 categories, ranging from child actor and lobby display to duet, director and leading actors.

Mamaroneck High School’s “Grease” has 11 nominations; Pleasantville’s “The Music Man” has 10. Pelham Memorial High School’s “Urinetown,” Dobbs Ferry High School’s “Alice by Heart,” and St. Joseph’s Regional High School in Montvale, New Jersey’s “Footloose” each have nine nominations. Brewster’s “Once on This Island” and Eastchester’s “Guys and Dolls” have eight nominations apiece.

The seven schools nominated for the Metros’ top honor — outstanding overall production — are Bergen County Academies, Brewster, Dobbs Ferry, Mamaroneck, Pelham Memorial, Pleasantville, and St. Joseph’s. It is the first time Dobbs Ferry and Mamaroneck are overall-production nominees. St. Joseph’s production of “Les Miserables” won the overall production award in 2024.

The ceremony will be hosted by Broadway veterans Kate Rockwell (“Mean Girls,” “Legally Blonde”) and Grey Henson (“Mean Girls,” “Elf”).

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Metro Awards: Re-watch the livestream

Reporting by Peter D. Kramer, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News

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