The CHS All-School Musical has been in existence for over 50 years, providing students with the experience of professional theatre from acting, singing, and dancing, to set building and stage crew, and playing music in the orchestra.  

For the last 20 years, the musicals have been choreographed by Tricia Benn and Bethany Pettigrew, an amazing duo and former Broadway performers.  For the last seven years, this talented team has also been directing the productions.  They are supported now for stage productions by Associate Director, Robert Cohen; Producer, LuAnne Kleppe; Vocal Musical Director, Jacob C. Ezzo; Instrumental Music Director, Peter Bauer; Lighting Designer/Technical Director, Tara Marie Abbondante; and Set Builder, Marc Matalon.

AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS

Modeled after Broadway's Tony Awards, the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards event was created in 1996 to encourage and reward exceptional accomplishments in the production of New Jersey high school musicals.  Over the last few years various CHS musical productions, students and members of the creative team have been nominated and have won awards.  

2019 - Mary Poppins

Nominee: OUTSTANDING COSTUMING ACHIEVEMENT
Honorable Mention: OUTSTANDING HAIR AND MAKEUP ACHIEVEMENT
Honorable Mention: OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ENSEMBLE MEMBER -  Franca Rosenblatt as "Bird Woman"
Honorable Mention: OUTSTANDING PERF. BY A FEATURED ENSEMBLE MEMBER - Phoebe Dybner as "Bird Woman (Understudy)"

2018 - Hairspray

Winner: OUTSTANDING COSTUMING ACHIEVEMENT - Barbara Canace, Carol Rutledge
Nominee: OUTSTANDING OVERALL PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
Nominee: OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT BY A TEACHER OR OUTSIDE DIRECTOR
Nominee: OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN CHOREOGRAPHY AND STAGING
Nominee: OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSICAL DIRECTION
Nominee: OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ORCHESTRA
Nominee: OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A CHORUS
Nominee: OUTSTANDING HAIR AND MAKEUP ACHIEVEMENT
Nominee: OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE - Hunter Kovacs as "Corny Collins"
Honorable Mention: OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE - Naomi Fisch as "Amber VonTussle"
Honorable Mention: OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE - Madie Reilly as "Velma VonTussle"
Honorable Mention: OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A FEATURED ROLE - Ben Blais as "Wilbur Turnblad"

2017 - How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Nominee: OUTSTANDING OVERALL PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
Nominee: OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN CHOREOGRAPHY AND STAGING
Nominee: OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT BY A TEACHER OR OUTSIDE DIRECTOR
Nominee: EDUCATIONAL IMPACT AWARD
Nominee: OUTSTANDING HAIR AND MAKEUP ACHIEVEMENT
Nominee: OUTSTANDING LIGHTING ACHIEVEMENT
Nominee:  OUTSTANDING SCENIC ACHIEVEMENT
Nominee: OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSICAL DIRECTION
Nominee: OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A CHORUS
Nominee: OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE - Hunter Kovacs as "J. Pierrepont Finch"
Nominee: OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ENSEMBLE MEMBER - India Anderson as "Miss Jones"
Honorable Mention: OUTSTANDING COSTUMING
Honorable Mention:  OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A FEATURED ROLE - Josh Ewing as "Bud Frump"

2016 - Disney's Beauty and the Beast

Winner:  OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ENSEMBLE GROUP - "Silly Girls"
Nominee: OUTSTANDING OVERALL PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
Nominee: OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT BY A TEACHER OR OUTSIDE DIRECTOR
Nominee: OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN CHOREOGRAPHY AND STAGING
Nominee: OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSICAL DIRECTION
Nominee: OUTSTANDING LIGHTING ACHIEVEMENT
Nominee: OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A CHORUS
Nominee: EDUCATIONAL IMPACT AWARD
Honorable Mention: OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A FEATURED ROLE - Hunter Kovacs as "Cogsworth"
Honorable Mention: OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A FEATURED ROLE - Matthew Lintern as "LeFou"