2025 Freddy Awards Highlights: The songs played what the winners said and more.

On Thursday evening, students, directors and spectators filled the State Theater on Thursday evening to celebrate something they all have together – passion for the music theater.

The 22nd annual Freddy Awards, which distinguishes excellence in the high school theater in and near the Lehigh Valley, brought theater enthusiasts of 29 high school in the region.

The production of “Seussical” of the Nazareth Area High School won five awards, most of the school. They took home an excellent overall production of a musical, outstanding stage crew, excellent technical contribution by a student, an outstanding performance of an orchestra and an outstanding use of costumes.

“This will be the special three hours of their lives,” said Shelley Brown, President and CEO of State Theater, the students in the audience. “We want you to be happy all night.”

This joy rose when the actors entered the stage for the opening number. Roaring applause fulfilled the theater when the spectators cheered on their co -fellow coach colleagues. The opening number contained a compilation of songs from the various musicals, which the schools performed, such as “Seize the Day” by “Newsies” and “This is our story” from “Shrek the Musical”.

The excellent overall production of a musical nominee carried out all night in the production numbers and presented all vocals, choreography, costumes and acting coast.

Easton Area High School Performed “Show People” from “Curtains,“ Nazareth Area High School Performed “Oh, The Thinks You Can Think” from “Seussical,” Parkland Performed “One Day” from “Les Miserables,” Warren Hills Regional High School Performed “Seize The Day” ” From “Newsies,” Bangor Area High School Performed “Esmeralda” from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” and Emmaus High School Performed “Dancing Queen/Waterloo” by “Mamma Mia!”

The audience broke out with applause and cheers after each performance and took part in clapping and dancing during the performance of Emmaus.

Solo appearances showed a close competition for both the leading actor and the actresses and also met with enthusiasm from their colleagues in the audience.

Audrey Wood, who portrayed Matilda in the production of “Matilda the Musical” in the Northampton Area High School, received an excellent performance of an actress in one lead role. She said she shares the honor with the entire line -up.

“It doesn't feel real,” she said emotionally when she accepted the award.

Dylan Penyak, who portrayed Quasamodo in the Wilson Area High School in the “Hunchback of Notre Dame”, was the recipient for outstanding performance of an actor in a leading role.

“It was a dream of mine,” he said. “I can't believe that I am up here to accept this award.”

The pupils who accepted awards, which were often full of happy tears, thanked their family, friends, directors, co -supporters and much more for their success of the success of every show.

It was a dream for many to win a Freddy Award.

“I am grateful to be part of an experience in which we can come together and sing music,” said Emerson Tyrell, recipient of the Vic Kumma Award for outstanding solo singing performance.

The show was transferred live to WFMZ-TV 69. Take a look at the full list of winners here.

Chelsea McClure can be reached cmcclure@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Instagram at @chelelehighvalley.