#1
Posted: 6/22/26 at 6:49pm
Who's watching tonight?
"Gitchie gitchie Betsy Aidem / Squibby Squibby Squibby June."
2026 Jimmy Awards Discussion Thread
#2
Posted: 6/22/26 at 7:47pm
Watching here in Denver and rooting for Gillian and Grayson!
Nice, he opened the medley's.
Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder
Updated On: 6/22/26 at 07:47 PM
#3
Posted: 6/22/26 at 9:49pm
My favorites after the Act I character groups (interestingly, most of them from Group 4):
Grayson Allensworth - Denver, Co
Edward Bloom
Big Fish
AJ Denomme - E Lansing, MI
Carl Hanratty
Catch Me If You Can
Jake James - Atlanta, GA
Jacob
Water For Elephants High School Edition
John Poncy - Washington D.C.
J. Pierpont Finch
How to Succeed…
Jane Niche - Chicago, IL
Eurydice
Hadestown: Teen Edition
Ava Greenberg - Madison, WI
Eurydice
Hadestown: Teen Edition
It seems that Hadestown: Teen Edition was a very popular show this year! Also, this is the second year in a row I've seen a selection from The Theory of Relativity. I'm gonna have to buy that OC album from Apple Music tomorrow.
Updated On: 6/22/26 at 09:49 PM
#4
Posted: 6/22/26 at 10:24pm
Only one of my favs made it to the finalists (Jake James - Atlanta, GA
Jacob; Water For Elephants High School Edition), but ... I almost also included Langston Casey - St. Louis, MO (Seymour Krelborn; Little Shop of Horrors) because I thought is vocals were unique on Suddenly Seymour, AND I loved his shy, demure take on Seymour.
Updated On: 6/22/26 at 10:24 PM
#5
Posted: 6/22/26 at 10:29pm
I didn't even know there was a Hadestown - Teen Edition until it popped up during the performance.
Some really talented kids, again, this year. Just chokes me up watching every year seeing their excitement. It brings back memories of my high school years and Senior Year studying and performing at Society Hill Playhouse in Philadelphia. I am feeling every bit of their excitement and wishing all of them the best.
Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder
#6
Posted: 6/22/26 at 10:33pm
Congratulations to Jake James and Samia Posada, just named best actor and best actress.
"Gitchie gitchie Betsy Aidem / Squibby Squibby Squibby June."
#7
Posted: 6/22/26 at 10:36pm
His solo performance was absolutely wonderful.
Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder
#8
Posted: 6/22/26 at 10:36pm
Might be the most talented group they've ever had. We will be seeing many of them on Broadway. And Bowen was a perfect host.
#9
Posted: 6/22/26 at 10:50pm
EDSOSLO858 said: "Congratulations to Jake James and Samia Posada, just named best actor and best actress."
They were my picks!
So happy for both
#10
Posted: 6/22/26 at 10:51pm
I liked the show and the outcome. I wanted to see more of the girl who did Evita. One of the finalists, Emersyn Hunt goes to the Children’s Professional School in Manhattan and the red haired guy lives in Los Angeles so I like that the winners were from other places (Tucson and Atlanta).
..
#11
Posted: 6/22/26 at 10:54pm
uncageg said: "Just chokes me up watching every year seeing their excitement. "
I get emotional seeing them display their incredible talent. I can't believe they can sing and act that well, and with such confidence.
I also teared up a bit over Hayden Hooper (the 2nd announced as wining an Outstanding Performance in an Ensemble Award). ...and Bowen Yang commented, "Oh, my God... I'm gonna cry!" Me, too. And I think for the same reason as Bowen. 
Updated On: 6/22/26 at 10:54 PM
#12
Posted: 6/22/26 at 11:08pm
MaxineElliott said: "I liked the show and the outcome. I wanted to see more of the girl who did Evita. "
I liked the first Evita (sang Buenos Aires in a floral print dress) better than the 2nd (she sang Rainbow High in a white designer dress).
#13
Posted: 6/22/26 at 11:44pm
Bowen actually did a good job. I hope the two students from Denver got to meet him. He is from Denver and they said they planned to meet him somehow while there.
Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder
#14
Posted: 6/23/26 at 12:07am
Great show, as always. So many talented youngsters, excited to see where they all land.
I think both winners were the best of the bunch. I wish someone would help with song selection for the finalists because some of these songs are wayyyyy over these high school kids' heads. I think Samia picked the most relatable song for a high schooler, which is why she excelled (and of course had excellent vocals as well). I do find it confusing how students are able to attend the Jimmys multiple times - this was Samia's third time there, a finalist every year she appeared. Clearly she's great but it would be nice to spread the love around a bit....
It's always interesting to see what shows are common in high schools. Hadestown is clearly a favorite across the country....
#15
Posted: 6/23/26 at 12:35am
HenryTDobson said: "Great show, as always. So many talented youngsters, excited to see where they all land.
I think both winners were the best of the bunch. I wish someone would help with song selection for the finalists because some of these songs are wayyyyy over these high school kids' heads. I think Samia picked the most relatable song for a high schooler, which is why she excelled (and of course had excellent vocals as well). I do find it confusing how students are able to attend the Jimmys multiple times - this was Samia's third time there, a finalist every year she appeared. Clearly she's great but it would be nice to spread the love around a bit....
It's always interesting to see what shows are common in high schools. Hadestown is clearly a favorite across the country...."
IMO, Hadestown is a favorite because the young lovers are so relatable to high schoolers, as well as the score.
I agree with you about "some of these songs are wayyyyy over these high school kids' heads". Jake James was able to create a convincing portrayal of adult emotions, though. I think the challenge some of these selections present are what (literally) separates the men from the boys (or the women from the girls, as the case may be).
Updated On: 6/23/26 at 12:35 AM
#16
Posted: 6/23/26 at 3:04am
I agree that a lot of the performances were fantastic and that Bowen Yang made a good host who didn’t try too hard.
I also dug down a short rabbit hole to learn more about the teen edition of Hadestown - which involves more key changes than substantive edits. I never knew that still-running Broadway musicals had teen editions that can only be licensed to teenage performers.
It’s not surprising that the teen edition would be popular with high school theater kids and teachers. It’s a relatively new show, based on classic text, that has five terrific parts and as many ensemble roles as needed.
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