McLean High School Wins 3 Cappies Awards For 'Claudio Quest'

MCLEAN, VA — McLean High School won three awards for its production of "Claudio Quest" at the Cappies gala Monday night.

The National Capital Area Cappies Gala, an awards event that is considered the Tony Awards for high school theater in the D.C. region, was held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on Monday night.

In the Cappies program, student critics review Cappies high school theater shows throughout the school year and publish reviews in local media. Annual award winners in 42 technical and performance categories were chosen by Cappies critics.

McLean High School's Idil Erdoğan was the winner of the Cappie for Comic Actor in a Male Role in a Musical.

McLean High School's Dillon Prestidge, Emma Springer and Megan Wright won the Cappie award for best sound in the production of "Claudio Quest."

And McLean High School's performance of "Platypus Heart" in "Claudio Quest" won the award for best song at the Cappies.

McLean High School, the first high school to turn "Claudio Quest" into reality, received eight Cappies nominations for its production of the musical.

"Claudio Quest," written by Drew Fornarola and Marshall Pailet, premiered in 2010 and in 2015, won six awards at the New York Musical Theatre Festival. McLean High School students performed "Claudio Quest" from Feb. 10-12 at the Craighill S. Burks Theatre at McLean High School.

The night's biggest winners were South Lakes High School, which won the Best Musical award and nine other awards for "Bright Star," and Lake Braddock Secondary School, which won Best Play for "Dracula" and three other awards.

Hundreds of Cappies nominees were celebrated during the sold-out event. Awards were presented by Cappies alumni and community dignitaries.

Along with awards presentations, 11 schools nominated for Best Play and Best Musical performed.

Musical performances included "Anastasia" by Quince Orchard High School," "Kiss Me, Kate" by Herndon High School, "Something Rotten!" by West Springfield High School, "Bright Star" by South Lakes High School and "Claudio Quest" by McLean High School.

Play performances included "Wendy & Peter Pan" by Oakton High School, "The Man Who Came to Dinner" by Langley High School, "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Chantilly High School, "Dracula" by West Springfield High School, and "Much Ado About Nothing by James Madison High School.

The Cappies Gala is expected to be broadcast starting Monday, June 19 on Red Apple Channel 21 (Verizon FIOS and Cox) or the Fairfax County Public Schools Channel 21 livestream.

RELATED: McLean High School Scores 9 Cappies Nominations For 'Claudio Quest'