Swampscott High musical wins big at state awards

SWAMPSCOTT ? After a successful three-night run of the musical “Chicago” in May, the Swampscott High School Drama Club won six top honors at the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild annual awards ceremony.The MET Musical Awards, held at Emerson College’s Cutler Majestic Theatre in Boston on Monday, honored the high school’s production with the awards for best overall production: entire performing company, production crew and Swampscott High School Dance Team; best leading actor: Jared Solomon as Billy Flynn; best leading actress: Claire Vaucher as Velma Kelly; best supporting actress: Giuliana Mignone as Matron Mama Morton; best acting ensemble: entire performing company; and best choral ensemble: entire performing company.?We’re really ecstatic and very, very proud of the work the kids put into the show,” said director Jim Pearse, who has also taught music and theater at the high school for 18 years.Swampscott’s “Chicago” was nominated in 11 categories, and it took home the most awards of any high school production at the ceremony.During the ceremony, students performed a selection from the musical, with Vaucher, Theo Hatzelamprou and Joe Turcotte putting on the opening number “All That Jazz.”Pearse said “Chicago” was the high school’s most well-attended musical, and the fall show “The Laramie Project” was the most well-attended play.?We had a really good year this year,” he said. “We feel lucky.”