The Jimmy Awards recognizes some of the best high school musical-theater talent in the country. For over 16 years, the award show has helped jump-start the careers of teenagers who have since grown into notable Broadway and pop stars, including Andrew Barth Feldman and Reneé Rapp. Here’s an updated look, in alphabetical order, of the Jimmy Awards alumni you can currently see on Broadway.
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Jack Cahill-Lemme
Jack Cahill-Lemme is a swing in Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Broadway. The 2016 nominee was featured in the Jimmy Awards character medley section with a song from Big Fish.
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KC Dela Cruz
KC Dela Cruz is currently a swing in Hadestown. She was a 2010 Jimmy Awards nominee for her performance as the title role in Aida.
Tyler James Eisenreich
Tyler James Eisenreich is in the ensemble of Wicked. He previously performed in the ensemble and played Tommy’s understudy in The Who’s TOMMY on Broadway. He was also in Moulin Rouge! The Musical and West Side Story on Broadway. The 2012 nominee was part of the Jimmy Awards’ character medley section as Jimmy from Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Jessi Kirtley
Jessi Kirtley is an understudy and dance captain in Operation Mincemeat, marking her Broadway debut. The 2019 finalist sang “Defying Gravity” during the tribute to Wicked medley. She also sang “The Movie in My Mind” from Miss Saigon during her solo performance.
Maggie Kuntz
Maggie Kuntz is starring as Ivy Watkins in John Proctor Is the Villain on Broadway. She was previously in the ensemble and an understudy to Cherry and Maria in The Outsiders on Broadway. In 2017, the nominee sang from Curtains in the character medley section. In 2018, Kuntz was nominated again, this time performing in the character medley section as Dolly Levi from Hello, Dolly!
McKenzie Kurtz
McKenzie Kurtz is currently starring as Heather Chandler in Heathers The Musical Off-Broadway. She made her Broadway debut as Anna in Frozen and went on to appear in Wicked as Glinda and Back to the Future as Jennifer. In 2015, the nominee performed from Mary Poppins in the character medley section.
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Adam J. Levy
Adam J. Levy is a swing in Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Broadway. The 2012 nominee was part of the character medley section, performing “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” from Les Misérables.
Casey Likes
Casey Likes currently plays J.D. in Heathers The Musical Off-Broadway, fresh off his star turn as Marty McFly in Back to the Future: The Musical on Broadway. He made his Broadway debut in 2022 as William Miller in Almost Famous. The 2019 finalist performed “Santa Fe” from Newsies for his solo performance.
Marla Louissaint
Marla Louissaint is currently appearing as Fate in Hadestown on Broadway. The 2015 winner sang “I’m Here” from The Color Purple during her solo performance.
Ryan McCartan
Ryan McCartan is starring as Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby on Broadway. The 2011 winner sang as J. Pierrepont Finch from How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying in the character medley section, followed by “Someone to Fall Back On” by Jason Robert Brown in his solo performance. McCartan previously starred as Hans in Frozen and Fiyero in Wicked.
Tony Moreno
Tony Moreno is a swing in The Book of Mormon on Broadway. He participated in the Jimmy Awards for two consecutive years. In 2016, the nominee was part of the character medley, singing from The Last Five Years, and was in the same grouping as Jack Cahill-Lemme. In 2017, Moreno, who won alongside Sofia Deler, was part of the character medley group, singing from Man of La Mancha followed by “Disappear” from The Burnt Part Boys.
Eva Noblezada
Eva Noblezada is starring as Sally Bowles in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club on Broadway. She previously starred in The Great Gatsby, originating the role of Daisy Buchanan. She also originated the role of Eurydice in Hadestown. It marked her second Tony Award nomination, earning her first for her role as Kim in the revival of Miss Saigon. Noblezada was a Jimmy Award finalist in 2013. She sang “With You” from Ghost in her solo performance and played Ariel from Footloose during the character medley.
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Ryan Rodiño
Ryan Rodiño is a swing in Aladdin on Broadway. The 2015 nominee vlogged about his journey to perform at the Minskoff Theatre.
Josh Strobl
Josh Strobl is understudying Ponyboy and Johnny in The Outsiders on Broadway. He also understudied Evan/Jared/Connor in Dear Evan Hansen. In 2016, he won the Jimmy Awards, performing “Maria” from West Side Story as his solo finalist performance. Strobl also portrayed Link Larkin from Hairspray during the character medley section.
Riley Thad Young
Riley Thad Young is in the ensemble of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway. The 2018 finalist sang “Memphis Lives in Me” from “Memphis” during his solo performance.
