PITTSBURGH -- A large crowd gathered at the sold-out Benedum Center as Allegheny County’s finest high school performers were honored at the 19th Annual Pittsburgh CLO Gene Kelly Awards on May 23.

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Named for legendary performer and Pittsburgh native Gene Kelly, the annual celebration, hosted by Pittsburgh's CLO, emphasizes the importance of arts education and recognizes the time, energy and dedication that local high schools devote to their musical productions each spring.

Patterned after Broadway’s Tony Awards, the ceremony included live performances by the best musical nominees and best actor and actress nominees. Each nominated school performed a five-minute selection from their respective shows. Special guest presenters included Channel 11's David Johnson and his wife Nancy, Channel 11's Jennifer Abney, former American Idol contestant David Osmond and Gene Kelly’s widow, Patricia Ward Kelly.

The 28 participating schools this year were: Avonworth, Baldwin-Whitehall, Bishop Canevin, Brentwood, Central Catholic, Chartiers Valley, Deer Lakes, Hampton, Keystone Oaks, McKeesport, North Catholic, North Hills, Northgate, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Penn Hills, Pine-Richland, Pittsburgh Allderdice, Pittsburgh CAPA, Pittsburgh Perry, Pittsburgh Schenley, Plum, Riverview, Shady Side Academy, Springdale, Vincentian Academy, West Mifflin, Winchester Thurston and Woodland Hills.

The winners in the best actor and best actress categories will represent the Gene Kelly Awards in the first ever National High School Musical Theater Awards in New York City on Monday, June 29. Two grand prize winners will be selected following five days of musical theater rehearsals, master classes, private coaching and interviews with theater professionals. Based on their skill level and professional goals, participating students will be eligible for college scholarships, professional internships, career coaching and opportunities for auditions.

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The recipients of the 2009 Gene Kelly Awards are:

Best Scenic Design: Woodland Hills

Best Costume Design: Pittsburgh CAPA

Best Lighting Design: Woodland Hills

Best All-Student Orchestra: Pittsburgh Schenley

Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Teddy McKenna of Pittsburgh CAPA

Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Arielle Katcher of Pine-Richland

Best Ensemble: Pittsburgh Schenley

Best Crew/Technical Execution: Woodland Hills

Best Choreography: Pine-Richland

Best Direction: Woodland Hills

Best Actor: Kian McCollum of Chartiers Valley

Best Actress: Elizabeth Bailey of Pittsburgh CAPA

Best Musical - Budget Level I: Pittsburgh Schenley

Best Musical - Budget Level II: Chartiers Valley

Best Musical - Budget Level III: Woodland Hills

Congratulations to all the participating schools!