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Richie Crane celebrates Sondheim Award win for ‘Urinetown’ performance

Richie Crane celebrates Sondheim Award win for ‘Urinetown’ performance

Niya Borst as Penelope Pennywise, left, performing alongside Richie Crane as Old Man Strong, right, in the Housatonic Musical Theater Society production of “Urintetown” on March 18.

Ella Karcheski

Starting at the age of 2, Richie Crane has been on a stage. From dancing to acting, Crane has always been a part of the theater, acting in productions for the Sharon Playhouse, his middle school and now Housatonic Valley Regional High School. He got his moment to shine in the spotlight on March 18 when he won the Sondheim award for best supporting actor as Old Man Strong in HVRHS’s production of “Urinetown.”

Crane has been in a multitude of productions throughout his life. “I’ve been acting since I was seven,” Crane said, “but three years ago I started acting in the Sharon Playhouse, which is when I started taking it seriously.” Crane has been in the ensemble of “Prom!,” the lead actor of “Rumplestiltskin” in his middle school play, and involved in five different productions in the HVRHS theater program from the time he was in fourth grade.

Crane dances at Blue Studio in Lakeville, Connecticut.

“I have been dancing for almost two and a half years there,” Crane said, “and I’ve been looking into dance and theater as a career.” Dance is something that Crane has been involved with his whole life and continues to enjoy as time goes on. He said that “performing and dancing overall, like learning the choreography,” is his favorite part of theater.

“Presenting a story to an audience and hoping that we can demonstrate it the way it’s supposed to be while moving the audience” is Crane’s main goal when performing. Through his dance and acting, he connects himself to the audience and brings his performances to life. Earning the Sondheim meant so much, Crane said, because he feels such a close connection to theater.

“The award reminds me that all this extra work, all these dance classes are all paying off and it’s a reminder to me that I can do whatever I put my heart to,” Crane said.

The award is validation for Crane — validation for his future plans in the theater and validation that all he has done is being seen by others. Crane said he “had been working his way up to a more appreciative role” and the award makes him hopeful and fuels his passion for the next show and the achievements he can reach at the next level.

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