EF freshman selected for Gene Kelly acting award

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

An Elizabeth Forward freshman is heading to Broadway, at least virtually.

Tyler Guinto-Brody was this year’s Best Actor winner for the Gene Kelly Awards, the competition for Allegheny County high school musicals sponsored by the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. 

Elizabeth Forward had three nominees this year — two for best actor and one for best actress — for their roles in “The Drowsy Chaperone.” Director Alana Wieclaw said she and the students got together to watch the awards ceremony Memorial Day. The other two nominees were seniors Angelina Guadalupe and Caedon Vogel, both of whom will be attending California University of Pennsylvania in the fall.

“We gathered at Angelina’s house and we were able to be there with their families and some friends,” Wieclaw said. “We had two students perform in the opening and closing numbers.”

Wieclaw said it was exciting to be able to watch the students perform during the ceremony, even though it was virtual this year instead of live at the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts in Pittsburgh. 

Wieclaw said the nominees were able to get together to rehearse at Lincoln Park School, then recorded their performances for the awards show.

“Tyler performed one of his solos from the show,” Wieclaw said. “It was a major eye opener to how much talent there is in Allegheny County.”

Wieclaw said it was a major accomplishment for the three students to be nominated.

“We were really caught off guard when they called (Tyler’s) name,” she said. “He’s a freshman. That shows the level of talent he has.”

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