Since the beginning of the annual Blumey Awards — the regional high school musical theater awards — just over a decade ago, Charlotte-area performers have been finding their way to some of the country’s most prominent stages. The trend continues this fall and winter with an incredible five Blumey Awards Alumni on Broadway (and four of them in starring roles!) Here’s the latest Blumey news from Broadway…
Liam Pearce in “& Juliet”
2x Best Actor Blumey Awards Nominee (2016 & 2018)
On October 29, Liam Pearce joined the cast of “& Juliet” as star-crossed lover, Romeo. Pearce, who grew up in Charlotte and attended Northwest School of the Arts (NWSA), made his Broadway debut last year in “How to Dance in Ohio.”
IN HIS OWN WORDS: “I would not be the performer I am or the person I am today without the opportunities I had in Charlotte,” Pearce told The Charlotte Observer last February.
“& Juliet”
Stephen Sondheim Theatre, 124 W. 43rd Street, NYC
Click here for more info or to purchase tickets.
Rixey Terry in “Sunset BLVD.”
2x Best Supporting Actor Blumey Awards Winner (2017 & 2018)
Earlier this month, Rixey Terry, another NWSA alum, made their Broadway debut in “Sunset BLVD.” Terry is a Swing for the production, understudying several ensemble roles.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS: “I think that’s the greatest thing about the Blumey Awards… that it celebrates art for youth,” Terry told Blumenthal Arts in 2018 after their second win for Best Supporting Actor. “And getting students excited about musical theater and about performance at such a young age. Like me, when I was in 6th grade, seeing the kids on the big stage, getting nominated for all these Blumeys. That excitement was really inspiring.”
“Sunset BLVD.”
St. James Theatre, 246 West 44th Street, NYC
Click here for more info or to purchase tickets.
Westin Hicks behind-the-scenes in “Sunset BLVD.”
4x Blumey Awards Alumnus (2015 - 2018)
Nation Ford High School graduate Westin Hicks is also part of the team at “Sunset BLVD.” He serves as Associate Company Manager on the production. This is his 8th Broadway production to date (including several first national tours). His New York Broadway credits include Assistant Company Managing “Parade,” “Gutenberg the Musical,” and “Patriots.” He also co-produced the recent Broadway revival of “The Wiz.” During high school, Hicks was twice recommended for Best Actor Blumey Awards and accepted the Best Musical Award (Tier 1) trophy on behalf of his school’s production of “Seussical,” his senior year.
IN HIS OWN WORDS:
“Participating in The Blumey Awards helped solidify my decision to have a career in the arts,” Hicks recently told Blumenthal Arts. “The professionals that taught us all at a young age are now colleagues and are my biggest supporters in New York. I’m forever indebted to my high school theater teacher (Cheri Addison) who brought me to the Blumeys and everyone who continues to support arts education through Blumenthal Arts.”
“Sunset BLVD.”
St. James Theatre, 246 West 44th Street, NYC
Click here for more info or to purchase tickets.
@hellskitchenbway Big love to @Phil. for taking his first bow as Knuck last night! 🔥💥 He KILLED it! Welcome to the Hell’s Kitchen family 💪 #NewYork #HellsKitchenBway #AliciaKeys #Broadway #Theatre #TheatreKid ♬ original sound - Hells Kitchen
Phillip Johnson Richardson in “Hell's Kitchen”
2014 Best Supporting Actor Blumey Awards Winner
Also in October, Phillip Johnson Richardson, joined the cast of “Hell’s Kitchen” as Knuck in the show, inspired by the life and music of Alicia Keys. Richardson is a 2014 graduate of Northwest School of the Arts. He made his Broadway debut earlier this year as Tinman in “The Wiz.”
IN HIS OWN WORDS: “The Blumey Awards is like the Tonys for kids,” Johnson told Blumenthal Arts last fall. “… It was one of the most amazing experiences I had when I was a high schooler.… If I didn't have arts programs like this, I don't know where I would be. I don’t know who I would be."
“Hell’s Kitchen”
Shubert Theatre, 225 West 44th Street, NYC
Click here for more info or to purchase tickets.
Eva Noblezada in “The Great Gatsby”
2013 Best Actress Blumey Awards Winner
Grammy Award winner and two-time Tony Award Best Actress nominee Eva Noblezada (“Miss Saigon,” “Hadestown”) currently stars as Daisy Buchanan in “The Great Gatsby.” She originated the role in the musical adaptation of the famous F. Scott Fitzgerald novel at New Jersey’s Papermill Playhouse in 2023. The show transferred to Broadway last March.
She attended NWSA before being “discovered” at the 2013 National High School Musical Theatre Awards in NYC (“The Jimmy Awards”) and cast in the West End production of “Miss Saigon.”
IN HER OWN WORDS: “Northwest taught me so much,” Noblezada told Charlotte Magazine in 2016. “The challenge to work hard and to really push myself started there. … It was the first place to give me a chance to shine and really helped me define myself as an actor.
“The Great Gatsby”
The Broadway Theatre, 1681 Broadway, NYC
Click here for more info or to purchase tickets.