Mira Costa’s 'Peter Pan' Takes Top Honors for Best Musical at Award Ceremony at the Pantages Theater

On Sunday night at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood, the Mira Costa Drama Department took home the award for Best Musical for “Peter Pan.” Thirty two Southern California high schools competed, including a number of arts schools. Mira Costa also won for Best Ensemble/Chorus, Best Musical Direction, and Best Lighting Design.

In addition, Mira Costa received nominations for Best Technical Crew, Best Costume Design, and Best Orchestra. Junior Julia McDermott was one of three female Best Actress finalists out of 32 actresses, one from each participating school. The cast of Peter Pan was also chosen as one of just four schools to perform a song on stage during the awards show, and they received a special award for Audience Choice for Performance of the Night.

Celebrity judges and presenters at the event included Cathy Rigby, Shirley Jones,Richard Chamberlain, George Chakiris, Russ Tamblyn and Ben Vereen. Vereen presented Mira Costa with the night’s top award.