The cast and crew of Maple Grove Jr.-Sr. High School’s production of “Anything Goes” are pictured at the Kenny Awards ceremony Saturday at Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, where the group took first place for Best Musical Production in Western New York. Submitted photo

Although they’ve been nominated before, Maple Grove Jr.-Sr. High School students can now finally proclaim that they are official Kenny Award-winners.

The cast, crew and directorial staff of Maple Grove’s recent production of “Anything Goes” announced that they were awarded Best Musical Production in Western New York at the Kenny Awards ceremony at Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo on Saturday.

The awards are given as recognition to cast members of high school musicals, and are judged based on their school performances. Applications are accepted from schools throughout Niagara, Erie and Chautauqua counties. Maple Grove was selected as one of 10 competing schools this year through an application and interview process. The cast of “Anything Goes” was nominated for five segment awards: Outstanding Dance Performance, Outstanding Dramatic Performance, Outstanding Scenic Design, Outstanding Choral Performance and Outstanding Costume Design.

“It has been such an honor to work with a devoted cast and crew,” said Julie Costantini, Maple Grove’s musical director. “The students chose the show ‘Anything Goes’ knowing they would all have to tap dance. With the guidance of their choreographers, Holly Weston and Jennie Cross, the cast created very memorable show-stopping dance numbers.”

On Saturday, Maple Grove performed at Shea’s alongside their nine competitors. During the day, the students also had an opportunity to participate in workshops with professionals from the area. As a result of taking home the Kenny Award for Best Musical Production, Maple Grove’s music department will be presented with $5,000 to be used for future school productions.

“We have gone to the Kenny Awards two other times, and the students were well aware they were up against some large talented schools in the Buffalo area,” Costantini said. “I think it made the winning experience more special knowing the judges recognized how great of a show a small school could put on. Each school has their own challenges to deal with when producing a show, and the Kenny judges take all aspects of the show into consideration when deciding their winners for various awards.”

Paige Cummings, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress, said it was a relief for Maple Grove to finally take home the Kenny Award after several years of competing for the coveted prize.

“The minute they called our name I was ecstatic because we have gone to this program three times, and every year we wait for our name to be called,” Cummings said. “When they finally did, it was exciting because we have all worked so hard for that moment. We are so proud to represent Chautauqua County as the first Kenny winners from this area.”

In addition to the Kenny Award, Maple Grove also took first-place in the categories of Best Dramatic Performance, Outstanding Dance Performance and Best Actress for student Grace Auer’s performance. As winner of the Best Actress award, Auer will go on to compete in the Jimmy Awards in New York City on June 26. She will work with Broadway professionals on singing, acting and dancing for one week, and then make her Broadway debut at the awards ceremony alongside 62 other students from across the nation.

“Singing and dancing on the stage was an honor in itself. The Kenny was the cherry on top,” Auer said. “I’m so excited to be representing the Buffalo area as I travel to New York City to compete in the Jimmy Awards.”

An awards ceremony and school assembly will be held at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday in the Maple Grove auditorium, where Kenny representatives will present the school with a $5,000 check and medallions for the entire cast and crew.

Maple Grove is the first school from Chautauqua County to win a Kenny Award in the award program’s 24-year history.