Herndon High Student Wins Rising Critic Award; South Lakes Show Wins Best Musical

HERNDON, VA — Ellen Lawton of Herndon High School won the Andy Mays Rising Critic award on Monday night's Cappies gala at the Kennedy Center.

Lawton was the lone Hornet to take home an award from Monday's ceremony. The school's critics team was nominated, as was one of its members in the Maryland Theater Guide Returning Critic category, but they did not win.

The school's production of "Kiss Me, Kate" did not receive any Cappies awards, despite being nominated in the marketing and publicity, props, sets, creativity, stage crew, ensemble in a musical, dancer in a male role, comic actor in a male role in a musical, lead actor in a female role in a musical, lead actor in a male role in a musical, song, and musical categories.

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

The big winner of the night was South Lakes High School, which took home the best musical award for its production of "Bright Star." The show won a total of 10 Cappies, more than any other school.

South Lakes' Abigail Jamison and Henry Carter won the best lead actor in female and male roles, respectively, for their performance in "Bright Star." Alexa Norris won a Cappie award as the featured actor in a female role in a musical and August Rivers won a Cappie award in the dancer in a male role category.

In addition, the Bright Star Set Team and Bright Star Orchestra & Featured Musicians won Cappies, as did Anna Leo and August Rivers for their choreography; and Tomas Bocock, Grayson Quigley, and the Bright Star Run Crew and Ensemble.

The night's other big winner was 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.