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Whitney Kelly Named Outstanding Actress at Basie Awards

On Wednesday, May 21, the Count Basie Theater hosted its 9th Annual Basie Awards Ceremony. Ranney School earned a total of 10 nominations, including one for Outstanding Music Production. Because of this special nomination, the cast of Threepenny Opera was invited to perform at the awards show, along with four other schools from Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Senior lifer Whitney Kelly (Tinton Falls) took home the Basie Award for “Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical,” for her role as Mrs. Celia Peacham in The Threepenny Opera.

"Whitney has a creative mind. Not only is she a wonderful musician but she is also a gifted visual artist,” said Director of Performing Arts and the play’s producer Tess Nielsen. “Her training has helped her channel the creativity. The role of "Mrs. Peacham" in "Threepenny Opera" is very complex. It requires the actress to portray a wide range of human emotions in order to tell the story.”

Whitney can be found singing and acting on stage or at Ranney School’s Coffee Houses throughout the year and has also been a member of the school’s award-winning forensics team, the National Art Honor Society and the Varsity Girls’ Softball team.

“Whitney brings a determined and focused energy to her approach and preparation of a character,” said Director John Doyle. “Very much a perfectionist as a musician, Whitney spends hours mastering a musical piece whether for a show or a Coffee House. I am pleased and proud that The Basie recognized her extraordinary talent and dedication to her craft.”

Other nominees from Ranney included Lucy McGinty ’17 (Brielle), who was nominated for “Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical” and senior Noah Goldstein (Spring Lake Heights) for “Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical” for their roles in The Threepenny Opera.

Director John Doyle was also honored with a total of six nominations for “Outstanding Lighting in a Drama” (Our Town), “The Carole Malik Award for Outstanding Costume Design in a Drama” (Our Town), “Outstanding Production-Drama” (Our Town), “Outstanding Set Design in a Musical” (The Threepenny Opera), “The Carole Malik Award for Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical” (The Threepenny Opera) and “Outstanding Production.” Mrs. Nielsen was also nominated for Outstanding Musical Direction.

Ranney students also got the chance to perform on the Count Basie stage due to their nominations. Noah Goldstein sang “The Useless Song” in a montage with the other male nominees. The cast, with Whitney Kelly, Karl Brand ’16 (Holmdel), and Evan Shultz ’17 (Colts Neck) sang a medley of “Ballad of Mack the Knife” (Evan’s Solo), -“Ballad of Dependency” (Whitney’s Solo), and “How to Survive (Act II Finale)” ( Whitney and Karl with the company).
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Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society. 

We envision Ranney School as a nurturing learning community, in which families, faculty, alumni, and all of Ranney’s constituents collaborate to know and value every child, foster individual talents, sustain powerful connections between children and adults, and graduate resilient, globally-minded citizens.