by Emma Willibey

The cast of fall production “Urinetown, the Musical” earned “Outstanding Ensemble” at Starlight Theatre’s twelfth-annual Blue Star Awards May 22. Blue Star adjudicators considered 52 musicals from 46 high schools before naming 20 winners, according to Starlight’s press release.

“The competition is very, very stiff,” Amy Reinert, director of Starlight’s education and outreach, said.

Junior Hillary Talken, who played urinal custodian Penelope Pennywise, said she credits the ensemble’s dynamic to practicing in the choir room while STA’s auditorium underwent renovations. According to Talken, the move delayed choreography but allowed the cast to fine-tune its singing.

“It was really a blessing in disguise that we had to rehearse in the choir room because we had the music down pat,” Talken said.

“Urinetown” received five Blue Star nominations, including “Outstanding Overall Production” and “Outstanding Actress in a Featured Role” for sophomore Hayley Burgess’ performance as the poor child Little Sally. Burgess said the nominations were surreal, as she has admired the Blue Star Awards since fifth grade.

“[The awards are] are a really big deal,” Burgess said. “A lot of my friends call them ‘the Kansas City high-school Tony Awards.’”

By recognizing schools from Liberty High School to Lenexa, Kansas’ St. James Academy, the Blue Star Awards united friends in the theater circle, according to Talken.

“One of my best friends, Daniel Verschelden [from Lee’s Summit High School], was nominated for best actor, and Maggie Marx [from Shawnee Mission Northwest High School] was nominated for best actress,” Talken said.

To select nominees, Starlight assembles theater-industry adjudicators to critique productions from schools who have applied to the Blue Star program. Reinert said the judges, who boast distinctions like “lighting designer for the Lyric Opera,” assess aspects from costumes to orchestra.

“[The adjudicators] will fill out a comprehensive evaluation of what they saw,” Reinert said. “We accumulate all of that data for a nominations committee.”

According to Reinert, the committee includes “select adjudicators” who meet in the spring to designate awards. Reinert said the committee spends four days deciding the winners, as judging the high-quality productions is challenging. From an actress’ standpoint, Talken agreed the nominees’ work is superb.

“Well, especially for [Outstanding] Overall [Production], the quality is insane, and so it’s kinda cool to see just what high-school theater departments can do,” Talken said.

The ceremony rewards thespians’ diligent work with a fun vibe, according to Reinert. This year’s event treated 1700-2000 guests like celebrities, inviting each person to pose before a professional photographer on a red carpet. In addition, guests watched each cast nominated for Outstanding Overall Production perform on Starlight’s stage.

“The ceremony is free and open to the public,” Reinert said. “We want teachers to be there. We want parents and siblings, grandmas and grandpas.”

Despite the lavish atmosphere, Reinert said the evening was emotional, as many recipients thanked health insurer Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City for sponsoring the event. According to Reinert, hearing winners’ humility made the event worthwhile.

“Even though all these students and teachers are part of a competition, they’re all very respectful of each other,” Reinert said.