Posted: Thu., Jul. 17, 2008, 1:47pm PT

High School Theater to be feted

First round of trophies will be presented June 1

By Gordon Cox

Broadway has the Tony. Now high school musicals have the Jimmy.

The Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera and Nederlander Presentations have teamed to create the National High School Musical Theater Awards, named after Nederlander Org chairman James M. Nederlander.

First round of trophies, one for actress and one for actor, will be presented June 1 at the Palace Theater, the Broadway house (owned by the Nederlanders) that is currently home to "Legally Blonde."

New laurels are inspired by Pittsburgh CLO's Gene Kelly Awards, created in 1991 to honor local Troys and Gabriellas. Model has since been replicated around the country with more than 900 similar kudofests.

For the Jimmy, the winning performers will be selected by industry pros from the top talent participating in 30 regional competitions.