Anyone who saw the OLSH production of Big Fish wasn’t surprised by the whopping seven Gene Kelly Award nominations that the show received. Along with the show’s nomination for Best Musical came a coveted invitation to perform a number from the show onstage at the award ceremony.

The spring musical cast spent Saturday afternoon at the Benedum Center rehearsing onstage for their performance in front of a sold-out audience later that night. In full costume, the group took the stage in the second act and blew the audience away with a performance of “Be the Hero.” Shortly after, when Mrs. Patricia Ward Kelly announced OLSH as the winner of Best Musical in Budget Level I, the crowd erupted into applause. Senior Katarina Komoroski was onstage to accept the award.

Mario Williams ’23 was a Best Actor semifinalist, and as such, performed in the ceremony’s opening number with other semifinalists and finalists. Clare Mulvay ’23 and Melanie George ’23 performed in the evening’s closing number alongside actors from all other participating schools.

This is the OLSH theatre department’s second Best Musical nod ever, the first being for 2019’s Once Upon a Mattress. OLSH now has a total of 89 Gene Kelly Award nominations and 16 wins over 25 years.

2023 awards & nominations include:

Best Musical – WINNER, accepted by Katarina Komoroski ‘23

Best Lighting Design – WINNER, accepted by Leo Matthews ‘25

Best Vocal Ensemble – WINNER, accepted by Lauren Shuagis ‘24

Best Dance Ensemble – WINNER, accepted by Sophie Feldhues ‘24

Best Crew/Technical Execution – WINNER, accepted by Michal Ondercin ‘23

Best Scenic Design - Nominee

Best Costume Design - Nominee