Finalists announced for 3rd Annual Playhouse Square Dazzle Awards Bob Abelman Cleveland Jewish News, The News Herald, The Morning Journal Member, American Theatre Critics Association Over the past few months, eligible high school musicals have been in competition for the 3rd annual Playhouse Square Dazzle Awards, which honor the most talented performers and productions in Northeast Ohio. The goal of the awards program is to inspire excellence in high school musical theater and to recognize the importance of musical theater and arts education within the community. A panel of adjudicators attended one production at each of the 26 participating schools, provided educational feedback, and determined Dazzle Awards nominees for 13 categories that cover performance, production and technical execution. Winners will be announced on May 19 at the Connor Palace in a gala awards ceremony modeled after the Tony Awards. For tickets and information go to playhousesquare.com. In June, the winner of the Best Actress and Best Actor awards will go on to represent Playhouse Square and Northeast Ohio at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, known as The Jimmy Awards, in New York City. Last year’s winners and this year’s awards finalists can be found at: www.clevelandjewishnews.com/columnists/bob_abelman/