2025 Gene Kelly Awards honor high school musical theater, the late Charlie Gray

During his tenure as executive director of Pittsburgh CLO, Charlie Gray steered the creation of the Gene Kelly Awards, which annually honor excellence in Allegheny County’s high school musical theater. On Saturday — at the first awards ceremony since his passing last year — his legacy was celebrated, along with the many accomplished student artists who were nominated and won awards.

At the May 24 awards ceremony at the Benedum Center in Downtown Pittsburgh, there were musical numbers and medleys performed by participating high school students, many excited award winners and an outpouring of love for the arts, education and Gray.

After an opening medley from this year’s nominees, current Pittsburgh CLO executive producer Mark Fleischer took the stage to open the ceremony.

“I’m always so thrilled to see so many talented students working together on this stage,” he said. “I am inspired by their quick camaraderie and desire to share their spirit of collaboration with like-minded peers across Allegheny County.”

Of course, there was plenty of love for the legendary Gene Kelly, a Pittsburgh native who went on to become a legend of song and dance in films like “An American in Paris” and “Singin’ in the Rain.”

Fleischer said that 34 schools — and a total of 2,663 students — participated in this year’s awards. The Gene Kelly Awards are the oldest regional high school theater awards in the country, a feat that Fleischer attributed to Gray.

“Charlie was inspired by Gene Kelly’s limitless spirit to dream big, with bold ideas and fearless artistry,” he said. “Both gentlemen’s incredible legacy lives on, not just in this awards ceremony, but in every student inspired, in every educator empowered and in every audience member moved.”

Pittsburgh CLO Board of Directors member Jane Dixon reflected on being in “the room where it happened” when the idea for the Gene Kelly Awards blossomed.

“Charlie told us that our objective was to come up with something new, something exciting, something innovative for the CLO to do, and oh, by the way, it’s got to be something big,” she said.

After working tirelessly for months, she said, the first Gene Kelly Awards were held on May 19, 1991.

But of course, the night focused on the students who worked so hard to create memorable musicals with their schools this year.

North Hills High School led the field in wins, including the award for Outstanding Musical in Budget Level III for their production of “Alice by Heart.” Hampton High School netted five awards, including Outstanding Musical in Budget Level IV for mounting “Hadestown: Teen Edition.” And Westinghouse Arts Academy in Wilmerding also won five times, including Outstanding Musical in Budget Level II for “The SpongeBob Musical.”

Outstanding Musical in Budget Level I went to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School’s “Children of Eden.” They also won three other awards.

In the acting categories, Wyatt Bernardini of Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12 won Outstanding Supporting Actor for his role as Old Prince Bolkonsky in “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812.” Fellow CAPA student Eamonn McElfresh took home Outstanding Actor for playing Pierre Bezukhov.

Outstanding Actress went to Mariana Mangual of Seton LaSalle Catholic High School as Ella in “Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Broadway Version).” Lastly, Outstanding Supporting Actress went to Harmony Karwoski of Avonworth High School for playing Johanna in “Sweeney Todd: School Edition.”

There were also a number of scholarships given at Saturday night’s ceremony, totaling more than $70,000.

The night ended with a celebratory number featuring students from each participating school. But first, Patricia Ward Kelly, wife of the late Gene Kelly, made a grand entrance to present the four awards for Outstanding Musical. In her heartfelt speech, she gave some advice to all of the students in attendance that night.

“With Gene as your model, you strove for excellence. Whatever you choose to do, you have invaluable tools in your kit. Do not waste them. Continue to sharpen and occasionally expand your possibilities by adding a new tool to the box. Keep growing. You sang and danced your hearts out in your productions.”

She also talked about how she often hears from former winners, catching her up on what they’re doing.

“I will remember all of you here tonight because we’re in this together. Our journeys are interwined. So please, stay in touch. Let me know where you are and what you’re doing. I will always want to know.”

To see a full list of the 2025 Gene Kelly Award winners, visit pittsburghclo.org.