Bridgeland, Cypress Ranch Students Win Tommy Tune Awards
Students from the Bridgeland, Cypress Ranch and Cypress Woods high school theatre departments were nominated in 11 categories in the Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) Tommy Tune Awards, held virtually on May 27. The awards are Houston’s high school version of the Tony Awards, which recognize and celebrate musical theatre.
The 2022 awards were highlighted by Bridgeland High School junior Jake Ulanday winning Best Performance in a Lead Role for his role of Anthony Hope in the school’s production ofSweeney Todd and Cypress Ranch High School junior C.J. Friend earning a runner-up award for Best Performance in a Lead Role for her role of Berthe in the school’s production of Pippin.
“I am beyond proud of our entire production of Sweeney Todd and our 11 Tommy Tune nominations,” said Adam Delka, Bridgeland head theatre director. “Putting on any production these past couple of years through the COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge. Every step of the way the students have met each challenge with enthusiasm and class. The cherry on the cake has been seeing the students excel in so many areas, including Texas Thespians Main Stage production, qualifying 30 students to the International Thespian Festival, being state alternative in UIL One Act Play and of course cheering on our very own Jake Ulanday as the winner of the Tommy Tune Best Performer award. All of us at Bridgeland Theatre wish Jake a big ‘break-a-leg’ as he travels to New York City for the Jimmy Awards. We couldn’t be prouder of him!”
In addition to earning Tommy Tune Awards, both Ulanday and Friend are 2022 National High School Musical Theatre Jimmy Award nominees. The national competition will bring together approximately 90 students who will work with Broadway professionals for a week. The week concludes with the Jimmy Awards, which includes both awards and scholarships.
“We were absolutely thrilled when C.J. was selected as runner-up for Best Female Lead Performer,” said Cheryl Bradford, Cypress Ranch head theatre director. “C.J. has been performing since a very young age and I believe has more than 100 shows under her belt. She was our Young Fiona in Shrek at Cypress Ranch when she was in fifth grade. It has been an honor and a pleasure watching her grow into the performer and young woman she is today. C.J. is truly a triple threat as she sings, acts and dances, and does it all extremely well. We look forward to working with her in her senior year and to seeing where she chooses to go to college and looking to see her on the big stage in the future!”
Bridgeland earned the following nominations for the production, Sweeney Todd:
- Jake Ulanday for Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role;
- Megan Cabaniss for Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role;
- Rodrigo Guiterrez for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role;
- Paris Fulks for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role;
- Rex Koern for Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role;
- Outstanding Musical;
- Outstanding Ensemble;
- Outstanding Scenic Design;
- Outstanding Costume Design;
- Outstanding Choreographer; and
- Outstanding Director.
Cypress Ranch earned the following nominations for the production, Pippin:
- C.J. Friend for Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role;
- Isabelle Harris for Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role;
- Makenzie Woodridge for Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role;
- Madalina Velasquez for Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role;
- Donovan Snyder for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role;
- Outstanding Musical;
- Outstanding Ensemble;
- Outstanding Orchestra;
- Outstanding Scenic Design;
- Outstanding Costume Design;
- Outstanding Music Director;
- Outstanding Choreographer; and
- Outstanding Director.
Cypress Woods earned the following nominations for the production, Hunchback of Notre Dame:
- Garrison Glass for Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role;
- Erin Doyle for Outstanding Performance in a Lead Role; and
- Outstanding Orchestra.
