SMUN 70 high school wins four theater awards

JAKARTA (JP): State-run senior high school SMUN 70 bagged four awards Saturday at the eighth annual Jakarta Theater Festival, while senior high schools SMUN 26 and SMUN 48 each received three awards.

Tikus Tikus (Mice) won SMUN 70 awards for best all-round performance, number one group of the year, and for best director, Rochmad Tono, and artistic arrangement, Haris Djauhar.

Rochmad said that although he was exhilarated, winning was nothing new for the school.

"In the eight years this festival has taken place, our school has won the award for best group five times," he said.

The first award of the evening went to Spinoza and Puspa Karang from SMK Tanjung Barat, South Jakarta, for best scriptwriting in the play Kejujuran Tanpa Warna (Truth Without Color).

Bibir Merah Basah Dan Setengah Terbuka (Slightly Opened, Wet Red Lips) earned SMUN 26 awards for second place best group, best actress, and poster. SMUN 48, Cinta Kembar (Twin Love), grabbed awards for third place best group, best actor, and musical arrangement.

The evening's tension was punctuated with laughter when Amika Ariesna, best actress, was in the middle of giving her acceptance speech when the top part of her award fell off. Unfazed, she quipped: "At least I won."

Amran Firdaus, winner of this year's best actor award, seemed teary eyed when he received his award.

While award recipients continued their thank yous during acceptance speeches, the evening's highlights were the shows staged by students.

Exceptional performances were given by SMUN 48's Manahan Hutahuruk and Soleh, SMUN 24's Fitri and guest, Agus Nuramal.

Singing La Bamba, I Feel Good and Angel Lullabies to Soleh's guitar playing, Manahan was the evening's delight, while Fitri's unrehearsed rendition of Gara Gara Naksir (Because Of An Attraction), earned her long applause.

Agus Nuramal had the audience laughing with his one-man comedy show, using props to tell a story of a "kid who robs a bank in New York because the dollar rose here".

Television actress and singer Anna Taria sang Panggung Sandiwara.

Friends of Sandy Larissa from SMUN 3 accepted on her behalf the award for best supporting actress, while friends of Win Rahmadi, SMUN 68, accepted his for best supporting actor.

This year's festival, hosted by SMUN 24, had celebrities Jajang C. Noer, Andi Bersama and Malhamang Zam Zam sitting on the judging panel. The honor to host next year's show went to SMUN 48. (02)