Rising Star programming has been recognized by the theater community locally and regionally.
National Youth Theater Awards
2018-2019
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical | Lexi Wenger as Sandy in Grease |
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical | Leila Haller as Rizzo in Grease |
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical (Junior Division) |
Friday Corona-Werner as Ladahlord in James and the Giant Peach Jr. Neri Frank as Crutchie in Newsies Jacob Prager as Ladahlord in James |
Outstanding Ensemble | Grease |
Nominations: | |
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical |
Sam Backer as Danny in Grease Trevor Scott as Jack Kelly in Newsies |
Outstanding Lead Performance (Junior Division) |
Max Binder as Charlie Brown in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown Claire Pridemore as James in James Ayelet Spevack as James in James |
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical |
Jacob Schorsch as Doody in Grease Nava Schorsch as Rizzo in Grease Hillel Schwab as Doody in Grease Trevor Scott as Kenickie in Grease Tiarra Towns as Marty in Grease |
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical (Junior Division) |
Celia Begin as Becky Del Vacchio in Dear Edwina Max Binder as Centipede in James and the Giant Peach Frida Corona-Werner as Lucy van Pelt in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown Ayelet Spevack as Sally Brown in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown |
Outstanding Featured Performance (Junior Division) | Kiana Ruane as Vladimir in Dear Edwina |
Outstanding Set Design | Steve Loftus & Eric Zoback for Newsies |
2017-2018
Outstanding Production | The Mystery of Edwin Drood-Riverdale Rising Stars |
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical |
Elijah Levi-Dabby as John Jasper in The Mystery of Edwin Drood Joshua Goldin-McCarthy as Chairman in The Mystery of Edwin Drood Rebecca Salzhauer as The Chaperone in The Drowsy Chaperone |
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical | Kim Burgering-Jacobs as Princess Puffer in The Mystery of Edwin Drood |
Outstanding Supporting Performance (Junior Division) |
Neri Frank as Ben/Lisa in Disaster! Frida Corona-Werner as Ursula in The Little Mermaid Jr. |
Outstanding Ensemble | The Drowsy Chaperone |
Outstanding Musical Direction | Justin Fischer and Bob Walton for The Mystery of Edwin Drood |
Outstanding Direction | Laurie Walton for The Mystery of Edwin Drood |
Nominations: | |
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical |
Leila Haller as Janet Van de Graff in The Drowsy Chaperone Leila Haller as Rosa Bud in The Mystery of Edwin Drood Marcos Hidalgo as Man in Chair in The Drowsy Chaperone Kim Burgering-Jacobs as Janet Van de Graff in The Drowsy Chaperone Trevor Scott as Robert Martin in The Drowsy Chaperone Lexi Wenger as Rosa Bud in The Mystery of Edwin Drood |
Outstanding Lead Performance (Junior Division) |
Max Binder as The Cat in the Hat in Seussical Jr. Romi Drubetskoy as The Cat in the Hat in Seussical Jr. Neri Frank as Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid Jr. Jacob Prager as Horton in Seussical Jr. Kayla Shapira-Stern as Ariel in The Little Mermaid Jr. Ayelet Spevack as Ti Moune in Once On This Island Jr. |
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical |
Sam Backer as Aldolpho in The Drowsy Chaperone Davi Frank as Reverend Crisparkle in The Mystery of Edwin Drood Rebecca Salzhauer as Edwin Drood in The Mystery of Edwin Drood |
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical (Junior Division) |
Natalie Allon as Ursula in The Little Mermaid Jr. Natalie Allon as Asaka in Once On This Island Jr. Joshua Begelman as Agwe in Once On This Island Jr. Celia Begin as Jojo in Seussical Jr. Sigal Bezborodko as Jojo in Seussical Jr. Max Binder as Sebastian in The Little Mermaid Jr. Allegra Kerstein as Erzulie in Once On This Island Jr. Zoe Lohrasbi as Gertrude in Seussical Jr. Aida Noel as Mayzie La Bird in Seussical Jr. Ezra Schwab as Papa Ge in Once On This Island Jr. Max Siegmeister as Sebastian in The Little Mermaid Jr. Ayelet Spevack as Gertrude in Seussical Jr. Frida Corona Werner as Mayzie La Bird in Seussical Jr. |
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical |
Andrew Binder as Gangster 2 in The Drowsy Chaperone Abby Fisher as Kitty in The Drowsy Chaperone Davi Frank as Gangster 1 in The Drowsy Chaperone |
Outstanding Featured Performance (Junior Division) |
Allegra Kerstein as Sour Kangaroo in Seussical Jr. Gideon Lopatin as Chef Louis in The Little Mermaid Jr. Deanna Sherman as Sour Kangaroo in Seussical Jr. |
Outstanding Ensemble | The Mystery of Edwin Drood |
Outstanding Costume Design | Penny Margeotes for The Drowsy Chaperone |
Outstanding Choreography | Emily Walton for The Mystery of Edwin Drood |
Outstanding Direction | Laurie Walton for The Drowsy Chaperone |
2016-2017
Outstanding Production | Into the Woods-Riverdale Rising Stars |
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical | Elijah Levi-Dabby as Valjean in Les Misérables |
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical | Rebecca Salzhauer as Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods |
Outstanding Lead Actor (Junior Division) | Neri Frank as Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie |
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical (Junior Division) |
Eliza Fisher as Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie Emma Jonas as Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls |
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical | Joshua Goldin-McCarthy as Marius in Les Misérables |
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical |
Abby Fisher as Little Red in Into the Woods Isabel Rodriguez as Witch in Into the Woods |
Outstanding Ensemble | Les Misérables |
Outstanding Direction | Laurie Walton for Into the Woods |
Nominations: | |
Outstanding Production | Les Misérables-Riverdale Rising Stars |
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical | Kelly Lavery as Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods |
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical (Junior Division) | Michaela Jonas-Giugni as Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls |
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical |
Andrew Binder as Jack in Into the Woods Yanniv Frank as Javert in Les Misérables Elijah Levi-Dabby as Cinderella’s Prince in Into the Woods Cameron Quiñones as Thenardier in Les Misérables Trevor Scott as Rapunzel’s Prince in Into the Woods |
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical |
Aviva Michaeli as Cosette in Les Misérables Aviva Michaeli as Cinderella in Into the Woods Rebecca Salzhauer as Madame Thenardier in Les Misérables |
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical (Junior Division) | Max Binder as Nicely-Nicely in Guys and Dolls (Jr. Rising Stars) |
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical (Junior Division) | Romi Drubetskay as Mrs. Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie |
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Cameron Quiñones as Wolf in Into the Woods |
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Junior Division) | Halleli Abrams Gerber as Miss Flannery in Thoroughly Modern Millie |
Outstanding Ensemble | Into the Woods |
Outstanding Lighting Design | David Pentz for Les Misérables |
Outstanding Musical Direction | Todd Olsen and Jonathan Parks for Into the Woods |
2015-2016
Outstanding Production | Zombie Prom– Riverdale Rising Stars |
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical | Isabel Rodriguez as Toffee in Zombie Prom |
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical | Elijah Levi-Dabby as Eddie Flagrante in Zombie Prom |
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical | Carlyn Barenholtz as Delilah Strict in Zombie Prom |
Outstanding Ensemble | Zombie Prom |
Outstanding Musical Direction | Bob Walton for Zombie Prom |
Outstanding Direction | Laurie Walton for Zombie Prom |
Outstanding Supporting Actress (Junior Division) | Kyra Siegal as Miss Hannigan in Annie Jr. |
Nominations: | |
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical | Yanniv Frank as Robbie Hart in The Wedding Singer |
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical | Yanniv Frank as Jonny in Zombie Prom |
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical | Gabby Robinson as Julia in The Wedding Singer |
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical | Kane Kavanagh-Baer as Sammy in The Wedding Singer |
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical |
Shira Schleifer as Linda in The Wedding Singer
Isabel Rodriguez as Holly in The Wedding Singer |
Outstanding Ensemble | The Wedding Singer |
Outstanding Choreography | Emily Walton for Zombie Prom |
Outstanding Lead Actor (Junior Division) |
Neri Frank as Shrek in Shrek the Musical Jr. Noam Spevack as Donkey in Shrek the Musical Jr. |
Outstanding Lead Actress (Junior Division) |
Eliza Fisher as Fiona in Shrek the Musical Jr. Lila Mueller as Fiona in Shrek the Musical Jr. Cipa Frost as Annie in Annie Jr. Lexi Wenger as Annie in Annie Jr. Eve Begelman as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray Jr. Livi Isaacson as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray Jr. |
Outstanding Supporting Actor (Junior Division) |
Noam Spevack as Corny Collins in Hairspray Jr. Max Binder as Corny Collins in Hairspray Jr. |
Outstanding Supporting Actress (Junior Division) |
Enza Jonas-Giugni as Grace in Annie Jr. Ruby Levitt as Miss Hannigan in Annie Jr. Halleli Abrams Gerber as Edna in Hairspray Jr. Rayna Howard as Motormouth Mabel in Hairspray Jr. Emma Jonas as Velma in Hairspray Jr. |
Outstanding Featured Actor (Junior Division) | Hillel Schwab as Burt Healy in Annie Jr. |
2014-2015
Outstanding Production | Urinetown – Riverdale Rising Stars |
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical | Ezra Mutnick as Bobby Strong in Urinetown |
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical | Cassandra Hernandez as Cassie in A Chorus Line |
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical | Yanniv Frank as Caldwell B. Cladwell in Urinetown |
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical | Jenna Somomon as Little Sally in Urinetown |
Outstanding Supporting Actress (Junior Division) |
Enza Jonas-Giugni as Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz Alena Charisse Underwood as the Lion in The Wizard of Oz |
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Julian Bar -Ilan as Rolf Gruber in The Sound of Music |
Outstanding Ensemble | Urinetown |
Outstanding Musical Direction | Justin Fischer for Urinetown |
Outstanding Direction | Laurie Walton & Shawn Renfro for Urinetown |
Nominations: | |
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical | Julian Bar-Illan as Zach in A Chorus Line |
Outstanding Lead Actor (Junior Division) | Hillel Schwab as Jed in It?s Easy |
Outstanding Lead Actress (Junior Division) |
Ruby Levitt as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz Kyra Starr Siegel as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz |
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical |
Isabel Rodriguez as Penelope Pennywise in Urinetown Jenna Solomon as Sheila in A Chorus Line |
Outstanding Supporting Actor (Junior Division) | Colin Thoman as the Lion in The Wizard of Oz |
Outstanding Featured Actress (Junior Division) |
Emma Jonas as Aunt Em in The Wizard of Oz Enza Jonas-Guigni as Joy in It?s Easy |
Outstanding Ensemble (Junior Division) | |
Outstanding New Musical | It?s Easy |
2012/2013
Lead Actor in a Musical: | Eric Berger as Sid in The Pajama Game |
Lead Actor in a Musical: | Jacob Levi-Dabby as Ren McCormack in Footloose |
Lead Actress in a Musical: | Shara Feit as Babe in The Pajama Game |
Lead Actress (Junior Division): | Zoe Wilson as Princess Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress |
Ensemble: | The Pajama Game |
Choreography: | Emily Walton for The Pajama Game |
Nominations: | |
Outstanding Production: | The Pajama Game |
Lead Actress in a Musical: | Lea Cohen as Ariel Moore in Footloose |
Lead Actress in a Musical: | Claire Wegh as Babe in The Pajama Game |
Lead Actor (Junior Division): | Shiv Pai as Prince Dauntless in Once Upon a Mattress |
Lead Actor (Junior Division): | Colin Thoman as Curly in Oklahoma! |
Lead Actress (Junior Division): | Enza Jonas-Guigni as Laurey in Oklahoma! |
Supporting Actor in a Musical: | Noah Margolin as Hasler in The Pajama Game |
Supporting Actor in a Musical: | Ezra Mutnick as Willard in Footloose |
Supporting Actress in a Musical: | Lea Cohen as Gladys in The Pajama Game |
Supporting Actress in a Musical: | Anna Sitley as Gladys in The Pajama Game |
Supporting Actor (Junior Division): | Andrew Binder as Ali Hakim in Oklahoma! |
Supporting Actor (Junior Division): | Lior Shaham as Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat |
Supporting Actress (Junior Division): | Leila Haller as Queen Aggravain in Once Upon a Mattress |
Supporting Actress (Junior Division): | Mia Lerin as Ado Annie in Oklahoma! |
Supporting Actress (Junior Division): | Alena Underwood as Aunt Eller in Oklahoma! |
Featured Actor (Junior Division): | Jacob Schorsch as Andrew Carnes in Oklahoma! |
Ensemble: | Footloose |
Ensemble (Junior Division): | Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat |
Ensemble (Junior Division): | Once Upon a Mattress |
Direction: | Laurie Walton for The Pajama Game |
2013/2014
Lead Actor in a Musical: | Ezra Mutnick as Roger in Rent |
Lead Actress in a Musical: | Leora Einleger as Natalie Haller in All Shook Up |
Lead Actress in a Musical: | Rachel Szpilka as Mimi in Rent |
Supporting Actress (Junior Division): | Zoe Wilson as Bunny in Babes in Arms |
Outstanding Ensemble: | Rent |
Lighting Design: | David Pentz for All Shook Up |
Direction: | Laurie Walton for Rent |
Nominations: | |
Outstanding Production: | Rent |
Lead Actor in a Musical: | Tyler Nottage as Mark in Rent |
Lead Actor (Junior Division): | Thomas Grant as Harold Hill in The Music Man |
Lead Actor (Junior Division): | Sam Backer as Horton the Elephant in Seussical |
Lead Actor (Junior Division): | Hillel Schwab as Cat in the Hat in Seussical |
Supporting Actor in a Musical: | Julian Bar-Illan as Collins in Rent |
Supporting Actress in a Musical: | Lindsey Crowe as Joanne in Rent |
Supporting Actress in a Musical: | Leora Einleger as Maureen in Rent |
Supporting Actress in a Musical: | Katie Kilcommons as Mayor Matilda Hyde in All Shook Up |
Supporting Actress in a Play: | Nava Schorsch as Anne Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank |
Supporting Actress (Junior Division): | Enza Jonas-Giugni as Mrs. Paroo in The Music Man |
Supporting Actress (Junior Division): | Kyra Siegel as Mayzie LaBird in Seussical |
Featured Actor (Junior Division): | Jacob Schorsch as Mayor Shinn in The Music Man |
Outstanding Ensemble: | All Shook Up |
Set Design: | Tony Wan for Rent |
2012/2013
Lead Actor in a Musical: | Eric Berger as Sid in The Pajama Game |
Lead Actor in a Musical: | Jacob Levi-Dabby as Ren McCormack in Footloose |
Lead Actress in a Musical: | Shara Feit as Babe in The Pajama Game |
Lead Actress (Junior Division): | Zoe Wilson as Princess Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress |
Ensemble: | The Pajama Game |
Choreography: | Emily Walton for The Pajama Game |
Nominations: | |
Outstanding Production: | The Pajama Game |
Lead Actress in a Musical: | Lea Cohen as Ariel Moore in Footloose |
Lead Actress in a Musical: | Claire Wegh as Babe in The Pajama Game |
Lead Actor (Junior Division): | Shiv Pai as Prince Dauntless in Once Upon a Mattress |
Lead Actor (Junior Division): | Colin Thoman as Curly in Oklahoma! |
Lead Actress (Junior Division): | Enza Jonas-Guigni as Laurey in Oklahoma! |
Supporting Actor in a Musical: | Noah Margolin as Hasler in The Pajama Game |
Supporting Actor in a Musical: | Ezra Mutnick as Willard in Footloose |
Supporting Actress in a Musical: | Lea Cohen as Gladys in The Pajama Game |
Supporting Actress in a Musical: | Anna Sitley as Gladys in The Pajama Game |
Supporting Actor (Junior Division): | Andrew Binder as Ali Hakim in Oklahoma! |
Supporting Actor (Junior Division): | Lior Shaham as Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat |
Supporting Actress (Junior Division): | Leila Haller as Queen Aggravain in Once Upon a Mattress |
Supporting Actress (Junior Division): | Mia Lerin as Ado Annie in Oklahoma! |
Supporting Actress (Junior Division): | Alena Underwood as Aunt Eller in Oklahoma! |
Featured Actor (Junior Division): | Jacob Schorsch as Andrew Carnes in Oklahoma! |
Ensemble: | Footloose |
Ensemble (Junior Division): | Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat |
Ensemble (Junior Division): | Once Upon a Mattress |
Direction: | Laurie Walton for The Pajama Game |
2011/2012
Awards
Lead Actor in a Musical: | Eric Berger as Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum |
Lead Actor (Junior Division): | Joshua Goldin-McCarthy as Sky in Guys and Dolls, Jr. |
Lead Actor (Junior Division): | Kane Kavanaugh-Baer as Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, Jr. |
Lead Actress (Junior Division): | Enza Jonas-Giugni as Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Jr. |
Lead Actress (Junior Division): | Zoe Wilson as Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls, Jr. |
Ensemble: | A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum |
Ensemble (Junior Division): | Guys and Dolls, Jr. |
Direction: | Laurie Walton for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum |
Nominations: | |
Outstanding Production: | A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum |
Lead Actor in a Musical: | Sam Piland as Julian Marsh in 42nd Street |
Lead Actor in a Play: | Eric Berger as Josh in Bang Bang You’re Dead |
Lead Actor (Junior Division): | Jonah Barricklo as Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie |
Lead Actress (Junior Division): | Isabel Rodriguez as Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie |
Lead Actress (Junior Division): | Zoe Wilson as Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka |
Guest Actor: | Philip Feldman as Marius in Les Miserables |
Guest Actor: | Niko Gelfars as Javert in Les Miserables |
Guest Actor: | Alex Walton as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables |
Guest Actress: | Mason Taub as Cosette in Les Miserables |
Guest Actress: | Emily Trambert as Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables |
Supporting Actor in a Musical: | Dabi-Levi as Hero in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum |
Supporting Actress in a Musical | Shara Feit as Maggie Jones in 42nd Street |
Supporting Actress in a Musical: | Jessica Lavery as Philia in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum |
Supporting Actress in a Musical: | Shara Zerler-Feit as Domina in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum |
Supporting Actor (Junior Division): | Jonah Barricklo as Nicely Nicely in Guys and Dolls, Jr. |
Supporting Actor (Junior Division): | Jacob Dabi-Levi as Trevor Graydon in Thoroughly Modern Millie |
Supporting Actor (Junior Division): | Ezra Mutnick as Hysterium in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum |
Supporting Actress (Junior Division): | Zoe Wilson as Mrs. Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie |
Ensemble: | Bang Bang You’re Dead |
Ensemble (Junior Division): | Fiddler on the Roof Jr. |
Guest Ensemble: | Les Miserables |
Set Design: | Chris Wilson, Gregory Kanter, and Ben Becher for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum |
Choreography: | Emily Walton for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum |
Direction: | Sabrina Landau for Fiddler on the Roof Jr. |
2010/2011
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Riverdale Rising Stars:
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical | Ryan Esnard as Pippin in Pippin |
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical | Eric Berger as Wilbur in Hairspray |
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical | David Newman as Charlemagne in Pippin and Edna in Hairspray |
Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical | Pippin |
Outstanding Direction in a Musical | Laurie Walton for Pippin |
Riverdale Junior Rising Stars:
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical | Cayleigh Capaldi as The Cat in Honk Jr. |
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical (jr. division) | Ezra Mutnick as Evan in 13 |
Outstanding Ensemble (jr. Division) | 13 |
2009/2010
Riverdale Rising Stars:
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical | Ariel Saul as Madam Dubonnet in The Boyfriend |
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical | Emily Trambert as Olive in Putnam County Spelling Bee |
Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical | The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee |
Riverdale Junior Rising Stars:
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical (13&under) | Noah Parnes as Jack, Into the Woods Jr. |
Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical (13& under) | Into the Woods Jr. |
2008/2009
Riverdale Rising Stars:
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical | Alex Walton as Roger in Rent |
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical | Mason Taub as Mimi in Rent |
Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical | Rent |
In 2010 the Riverdale Rising Stars and Laurie Walton received the NY State Assembly Award; recognized as an Outstanding Community Organization.