The 13th Annual Jerry Herman Awards 2025: Everything You Need To Know About The Next Generation Of Broadway Stars
Contents
The Legacy of Jerry Herman and the Awards' Mission
The Jerry Herman Awards are named in honor of the late, great Broadway composer and lyricist, Jerry Herman, a true titan of musical theatre. His body of work includes some of the most enduring and beloved musicals in history, such as *Hello, Dolly!*, *Mame*, and *La Cage aux Folles*. Herman's signature style—characterized by optimistic, hummable tunes and emotionally resonant lyrics—earned him multiple Tony Awards, a Grammy, and the 2009 Special Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre. The awards program's mission is to constructively support, recognize, and reward achievements in high school musical theatre, fostering the next generation of performers, designers, and musicians.Jerry Herman: A Brief Biography
- Full Name: Gerald Sheldon Herman
- Born: July 10, 1931, in New York City, NY
- Died: December 26, 2019, in Miami, FL
- Occupation: Composer and Lyricist
- Notable Works: *Hello, Dolly!*, *Mame*, *La Cage aux Folles*, *Mack and Mabel*, *Dear World*
- Major Awards:
- Tony Award for Best Original Score (*La Cage aux Folles*, 1984)
- Tony Award for Best Composer and Lyricist (*Hello, Dolly!*, 1964)
- Tony Award, Special Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre (2009)
- Grammy Award for Best Score from an Original Cast Show Album (*Mame*, 1966)
- Three musicals that ran more than 1,500 performances (*Hello, Dolly!*, *Mame*, *La Cage aux Folles*)
The 2025 Ceremony: Date, Venue, and Key Details
The 13th Annual Jerry Herman Awards ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 4, 2025, at 6:00 PM. This highly anticipated event marks a significant date on the Los Angeles arts calendar, drawing students, educators, and theatre enthusiasts from across the region. The venue for the 2025 ceremony is the Ricardo Montalban Theatre in Hollywood. While the event is hosted by Broadway in Hollywood (part of the Nederlander Organization), which manages the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, the ceremony itself will take place at the Montalban, a historic and intimate setting perfect for showcasing student talent. Tickets for the event are an affordable $35 each and will go on sale to the public beginning Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 10 AM. This provides a fantastic opportunity for the public to support local high school musical theatre and witness the energy of the next generation of Broadway hopefuls.The Road to the Jimmy Awards (NHSMTA)
The most high-stakes categories of the Jerry Herman Awards are Best Performance by an Actress and Best Performance by an Actor. The two winners in these categories don't just take home a trophy; they earn an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to compete in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (NHSMTA), affectionately known as the Jimmy Awards. This national competition brings together winners from 50 regional programs across the United States for a week of workshops, masterclasses, and a final performance on a Broadway stage. The Jerry Herman Awards is the official regional program for the Los Angeles area, making it a crucial step in a young performer’s career.Key Schools and Nominations for the 2025 Jerry Herman Awards
The 2025 nominations showcase the incredible diversity and high quality of high school theatre productions across Los Angeles County. The list of competing schools and key nominees provides a thrilling preview of the talent on display.Spotlight on 2025 Nominees and Competing Productions
- Calabasas High School: Nominee Riley Eichberg, recognized for her role as Penelope Pennywise in *Urinetown*.
- St. Francis High School: Nominee Jackson Wright is among the top contenders for Best Actor.
- Harvard-Westlake School: Competing with their production of the Tony-winning modern classic, *Hadestown*.
- Charter Oak High School: Nominated for their high-energy revival of the golden-age musical *Anything Goes*.
- Windward School: Recognized for their production of Stephen Sondheim's fairy-tale mashup, *Into the Woods*.
- Notre Dame Academy: Competing with the perennial favorite, *Annie*.
- John Burroughs High School: Evan Baker is nominated for his performance as Will Bloom in the fantasy musical *Big Fish*.
- Immaculate Heart Middle & High School: Their student team received a nomination for Best Scenic Design.
Full List of Award Categories
The Jerry Herman Awards recognize excellence not just in performance but across the entire spectrum of theatrical production, promoting the idea that every role, on stage or off, is vital.- Best Performance by an Actress
- Best Performance by an Actor
- Best Overall Production
- Best Scenic Design
- Best Lighting Design
- Best Costume Design
- Best Orchestra
- Best Ensemble/Chorus
- Best Musical Staging/Choreography
- Best Musical Direction
- Best Technical Excellence
- Best Student Reporter
Looking Back: The Impact of Past Winners
The success of past winners underscores the importance of the Jerry Herman Awards. For instance, the 2024 Best Actor winner, Marley Garner from Canyon High School, was recognized for his role as Tony in *West Side Story*. Garner went on to represent Los Angeles at the Jimmy Awards, gaining national exposure and invaluable professional experience. Other notable past winners include Ava Broneer (2023), Samuel Karpinski (2022), and Phillip Arca (2021), all of whom have used the Jerry Herman Awards as a springboard for their artistic careers. The awards also recognize outstanding overall productions. Village Christian Theatre Arts, for example, previously won the top prize for Best Overall Production, which allowed them to perform live on the legendary Hollywood Pantages Theatre stage. This level of exposure and recognition is life-changing for high school theatre programs and their students. The 2025 Jerry Herman Awards will undoubtedly continue this tradition of launching careers and celebrating the tireless efforts of students and educators alike. For fans of Broadway, musical theatre, and emerging talent, the May 4th ceremony at the Ricardo Montalban Theatre is an event that cannot be missed. The competition for the coveted Jimmy Awards spots is fierce, and the performances are guaranteed to be spectacular.
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