PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio 1020 KDKA) – Over the next few months, you will have access to live musical productions of “Les Miserables,” “Grease,” “Anything Goes,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Phantom of the Opera,” and dozens of other shows- and they’re all happening in our region.

High schools across the country are gearing up for musicals season, the period where students put on high quality shows of Broadway favorites. As Kiesha Lalama, Education Director for the Pittsburgh CLO and Director of the Gene Kelly Awards, tell KDKA-AM’s Larry and John, these kids put their heart and soul into these productions.

“Those kids work hard for months to get their shows up, and the quality and caliber of talent is phenomenal,” Lalama said.

Lalama should know, since she organizes the Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater, the local equivalent of the Tony Awards. These are given out to best actor, actress, and other student achievements in show production.

And don’t expect an immature rendition- Lalama says these kids put on a good show.

“They’re doing these shows really, really well, and they’re staying true to the original intent of the shows,” Lalama said.

Listen to the full interview here: