March 19, 2024

Awards

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)

It?s Easy 

The Wizard of Oz 

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

National Youth Theater Awards 2011 National Youth Theater Awards 2011 National Youth Theater Awards 2011

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.