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Pleasantville High School won four Metro Awards Monday night for "Man of La Mancha", including Best Production. James McCarthy won his second straight Metro Award for Best Actor for his performance of Don Quixote and Pleasantville also won for Best Music Director and Student Critic.
"We're extremely excited," director Kathleen Donovan Warren said. "The kids were floating on clouds, they were so excited. I am very proud of everybody."
This is the 5th year in a row Pleasantville has been nominated and performed at the ceremony.
"It's really nice for us," Donovan Warren said. "The kids have gotten spoiled. It makes us all very proud."
Donovan Warren said Pleasantville was helped by the fact that "Man of La Mancha" is a musical rarely performed by high schools.
"It's extremely demanding," Donovan Warren said. "Don Quixote has to play three different characters. We had the right talent to do it."
The director said she was proud her kids were able to rise to the challenge and perform the play.
Judges came to opening night, which was nerve wracking since rehearsals had been cancelled due to snowstorms.
"I didn't tell the kids," Donovan Warren said. "I didn't want them to be nervous."
With 12 nominations, Donovan Warren said she didn't know if they were going to win, but said it was a wonderful surprise.
"I just try to do the best I can with the kids I have," Donovan Warren, who has been directing at Pleasantville for eight years, said. "We try to match the show to the kids. I have a lot of pride, we set the bar really high. I put a lot of pressure on myself and everyone else."
Since the Metros, Donovan Warren said her kids have been walking around a little taller and it has been a boost to their self esteem and confidence.
"We put the trophy in the trophy showcase today," Donovan Warren said. "Kids have been walking around and looking at it and they are very proud. It's nice to see."
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