Parkland Snares 15 Freddy Award Nominations

Tension and apprehension turned to raucous applause and glee early Thursday afternoon in Parkland High School's auditorium as the cast and crew of "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" watched the 2011 Freddy Awards nominations on television.

They watched State Theatre executive director Shelley Brown and WFMZ-TV's Ed Hanna roll through the nomination category-by-category and whooped it up as Parkland's production of the musical comedy garnered a whopping 15 Freddy nominations.

Two of those nominations, for outstanding actor in a leading role, went to and Joshua Rice. It was the first time in Freddy history that two actors in the same production from the same school received such a nomination, according to producer Frank Anonia. Mays had played the part of Freddy Benson in the production, and Rice had played Lawrence Jameson.

The Freddy Awards will be held May 26 at 7 p.m. at the State Theatre in Easton. Tickets will be made available to the public May 23 at 10 a.m.

Producer Frank Anonia was hopeful but tempered just prior to the announcements.

"You do the show for the show, and you never have expectations," Anonia said. "Whatever comes of the Freddy nominations happens. You had 30 really good shows in the Lehigh Valley this year. You never know what to expect, but you never expect this many."

The students, however, did hold some expectations, and their reactions became louder with each nomination, culminating with the best overall show.

"This was important to me, because my best friend Ben Mays and I get to perform (at The State Theatre,)" Rice said. "This is what we both wanted."

Mays was unable to be part of the gathering due to an exam.

, nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Christine Colgate, is up for her second Freddy after winning in 2009 for Parkland's production of "Godspell." This is Reilly's eighth Freddy nomination.

"I am so insanely proud of everyone for putting on such a great show and for everyone being recognized this way," she said. 

Junior Payton Sherry, who was nominated in two categories, including featured female ensemble and small ensemble, echoed her cast mate's sentiments.

"I'm extremely grateful to the cast and crew. It's been a crazy experience," said Sherry, who played Jolene Oaks.

Megan Stefanowicz, nominated as a Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Muriel Eubanks, summed it up succinctly.

"It's cool to to have done this in my senior year. It's been a blast."

Many of the nominees will perform numbers and scenes from "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" during the live May 26 telecast. 

Here are the 15 nominations for Parkland High School's production of "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels:"

-- Oustanding Show

-- Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor: Joshua Rice

-- Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor: Ben Mays

-- Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress: Morgan Reilly

-- Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress: Megan Stefanowicz

-- Outstanding Production Number: "Great Big Stuff."

-- Outstanding Performance by a Female Ensemble Member: Payton Sherry

-- Best Small Ensemble Performance: Joshua Rice, Ben Mays and Payton Sherry

-- Outstanding Lighting

-- Outstanding Choreography

-- Outstanding Chorus

-- Outstanding Scenery

-- Outstanding Use of Costumes

-- Outstanding Orchestra

-- Outstanding Stage Crew