Awards & Recognitions

Pantochino Productions Inc. was chosen as the winner of the Business Leadership Award for the Arts 2024, the Business Leadership Award for Tourism 2023 and the Cultural Contribution Award of Distinction 2017 by the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce.

In 2023, Pantochino was voted “Favorite Live Theatre,” “Favorite Family Entertainment” and “Favorite Place to Bring an Out of Town Guest” presented by the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce.

In 2022, Pantochino was voted “Best Live Theatre” and “Best Family Entertainment” presented by the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce.

In, 2020 Pantochino was voted “Best Theatre” in the inaugural Best of Milford Awards, and “Theatre of the Decade” by BroadwayWorld Connecticut".

Pantochino also won the Fairfield County Kids Out And About “Favorite Performing Arts” Award and was among the Top Twenty Places to Take Kids as well as receiving the Most Loved Place To Go by HulaFrog New Haven.

And, Pantochino has been recognized and has received multiple nominations and awards on the international theatre news website, BroadwayWorld, in the Connecticut Region for excellence in regional theatre. We’ve been lucky enough to win in the following categories:

2023

Best Musical - Christmas Carol

Best Theatre for Young Audiences - Christmas Carol

Best New or Original Work - And Away We Go!

Best Director of a Musical - Bert Bernardi

Best Performer in a Musical - Justing Rugg, Christmas Carol

Best Supporting Performer in a Musical - Mary Mannix, And Away We Go!

Best Ensemble - Christmas Carol

Best Costume Design - Jimmy Johansmeyer, Christmas Carol

Best Lighting Design - Jeff Carr, Christmas Carol

Best Set Design - Von Del Mar, And Away We Go!

2022

Favorite Local Theatre

Best Musical - Checking in on Charles

Best New Play or Musical- As Long As We’re Talking

Best Theatre for Young Audience Production - The Little Christmas Tree

Best Cabaret/Concert Performance - Victoria Sautee, It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Cocktails

Best Choreography - Steven Cardona, Grease

Best Costume Design - Jimmy Johansmeyer, Checking in on Charles

Best Director of a Musical - Bert Bernardi, Checking in on Charles

Best Ensemble Performance - The Rocky Horror Show

Best Lighting - Jeff Carr, Checking in on Charles

Best Musical Direction - Justin Rugg, Checking in on Charles

Best Performer in a Musical - Jimmy Johansmeyer, The Rocky Horror Show

Best Scenic Design - Von Del Mar, Checking in on Charles

Best Sound Design - Alex Besio, Checking in on Charles

Best Supporting Performance in a Musical - Shelley Marsh Poggio, Checking in on Charles

2021

Production of the Year - The SpongeBob Musical

Best Musical - The SpongeBob Musical

Best Performer- Rowan Simonelli, The SpongeBob Musical

Best Supporting Performer - Jill Nunez, The SpongeBob Musical

Best Direction of a Musical - Bert Bernardi, The SpongeBob Musical

Best Choreography - Becki Arena, The SpongeBob Musical

Best Lighting - David Sexton, The SpongeBob Musical

Best Costumes - Jimmy Johansmeyer, The SpongeBob Musical

Best Set - Von Del Mar & Joe Landry, The SpongeBob Musical

Best Virtual Cabaret/Concert - Let’s Learn Stuff with Victoria Sautee

2020

Theatre of the Decade - Pantochino Productions Inc.

Best Arts Educator - Pantochino Productions Inc.

Best Youth Camp/After School Program - Pantochino Productions Inc.

Best Social Media - Pantochino Productions Inc.

Best Musical - The Gingerbreads of Broadway

Best Ensemble - The Gingerbreads of Broadway

Best Performer - Jimmy Johansmeyer, The Gingerbreads of Broadway

Best Original Script - Bert Bernardi, The Gingerbreads of Broadway

Best Lighting Design - Jeff Carr, The Gingerbreads of Broadway

Best Sound Design - Sara Brown, The Gingerbreads of Broadway

Best Set Design - Von Del Mar, The Gingerbreads of Broadway

Best Costume Design - Jimmy Johansmeyer, The Gingerbreads of Broadway

Best Director of a Musical - Bert Bernardi, The Gingerbreads of Broadway

2019

Theatre of the Year - Pantochino Productions Inc.

Best Connecticut Playwright - Bert Bernardi -The Waffle House Five

Best Musical - The Waffle House Five

Best Actor in a Musical - Jimmy Johansmeyer, Glitz!

Best Ensemble of a Musical - The Waffle House Five

Best Director of a Musical - Bert Berardi, The Waffle House Five

Best Set Design - Von Del Mar, The Waffle House Five

Best Costume Design - Jimmy Johansmeyer, Beat Bugs: A Musical Adventure

Best Sound Design - Sara Brown, The Waffle House Five

Best Choreography - Matt Guerrara, Wizard of Oz Sort Of

2018

Best Connecticut Playwright - Bert Bernardi, Italian Wedding Soup

Best Musical - Italian Wedding Soup

Best Original/ New Work - Italian Wedding Soup

Best Family/Children’s Production - School For Elves

Best Ensemble in a Musical - School For Elves

Best Director of A Musical - Bert Bernardi, Italain Wedding Soup

Best Musical Director - Justin Rugg, School For Elves

Best Costume Design - Jimmy Johansmeyer, Italian Wedding Soup

Best Set Design - Von Del Mar, Italian Wedding Soup

Best Lighting Design - Jeff Carr, Italian Wedding Soup

Best Sound Design - Sara Brown, Italian Wedding Soup

2017

Best Professional Theatre of the Year

Best Connecticut Playwright - Bert Bernardi, Noni Cimino's Kitchen

Best Original/New Work - Bert Bernardi & Justin Rugg, Noni Cimino's Kitchen

Best Musical - Mister Trick & Mrs Treat

Best Family Production - The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus

Best Director of a Musical - Bert Bernardi, Noni Cimino's Kitchen

Best Ensemble in a Musical - The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus

Best Actor in a Musical - Jimmy Johansmeyer, Mister Trick & Mrs. Treat

Best Actress in a Musical - Raleen Mautner, Noni Cimino's Kitchen

Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Mary Mannix, Mister Trick & Mrs. Treat

Best Young Actress - Jane Shearin, The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus

Best Young Actor - Gavin Conte, Mister Trick & Mrs. Treat

Best Actor (High School) - Sydney Maher, Urinetown, The Musical

Best Costume Design - Jimmy Johansmeyer, Mister Trick & Mrs. Treat

Best Lighting Design - David Sexton, Mister Trick & Mrs. Treat

Best Sound Design - Sara Brown, Mister Trick & Mrs. Treat

Best Set Design - Von Del Mar, Noni Cimino's Kitchen

2016

Best Connecticut Playwright - Bert Bernardi, Christmas Cookies

Best Musical - Christmas Cookies

Best Original/New Work - Christmas Cookies

Best Actor in a Musical - Jimmy Johansmeyer, Dractastic!

Best Actress in a Musical - Mary Mannix, Fast Times at Mermaid High

Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Shelley Marsh Poggio, Dractastic!

Best Young Actress - Jaden Bonfiettie-Cvshinka, Fast Times at Mermaid High

Best Ensemble in a Musical - Christmas Cookies

Best Director of a Musical - Bert Bernardi, Christmas Cookies

Best Musical Director - Justin Rugg, Christmas Cookies

Best Costume Design - Jimmy Johansmeyer, Dractastic!

Best Set Design - Von Del Mar, Christmas Cookies

Best Lighting Design - Jeff Carr, Christmas Cookies

Best Sound Design - Nathaniel Dobas, Christmas Cookies

2015

Best Connecticut Playwright - Bert Bernardi, The Wicked Witch of the West: Kansas or Bust

Best Actress in a Musical - Shelley Marsh Poggio, The Wicked Witch of the West: Kansas or Bust

Best Costume Design - Jimmy Johansmeyer, Cinderella Italiano!

Best Director of a Musical - Bert Bernardi, The Wicked Witch of the West: Kansas or Bust

Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Maria Berte, Cinderella Italiano!

Best Set Design - Von Del Mar, Christmas at Santa Claus Station

Best Sound Design - Nathaniel Dobas, The Wicked Witch of the West: Kansas or Bust

Best Young Actor - Jay Maroney, The Wicked Witch of the West: Kansas or Bust

Best Young Actress - Cassie Gerace, Cinderella Italiano!

2014

Best Professional Theatre - Pantochino Productions Inc.

Best Actor in a Musical - Jimmy Johansmeyer, The Great Cinnamon Bear Christmas Radio Show

Best Featured Actress in A Musical - Rachael Dugas, Porkenstein

Best Young Actor, Carter Popkin, The Great Cinnamon Bear Christmas Radio Show

Best Young Actress, Dani Corrignan, The Great Cinnamon Bear Christmas Radio Show

Best Connecticut Playwright - Bert Bernardi, Pirate Schmirate!

Best Costume Design - Jimmy Johansmeyer, Pirate Schmirate!

Best Lighting Design - Tim Cook, Porkenstein

Best Set Design - Von Del Mar, The Great Cinnamon Bear Christmas Radio Show

Best Sound Design, Nathaniel Dobas, The Great Cinnamon Bear Christmas Radio Show

Best Original/New Work - Bert Bernardi & Justin Rugg, Pirate Schmirate!

2013

Best Actor in a Play - Jimmy Johansmeyer, Wicked Stage

Best Connecticut Playwright - Bert Bernardi, Glitz

Best Director of a Play - Bert Bernardi, Wicked Stage

Best Sound Design - Nathaniel Dobas, Special Breakfast

2012

Best Actor in a Play - Jimmy Johansmeyer, The Little Dog Laughed

Best Director of a Play - Bert Bernardi, The Little Dog Laughed

Best Featured Actor in a Play - Justin Rugg, The Little Dog Laughed

Best Featured Actress in a Play - Ruth Kennedy, The Little Dog Laughed

2011

Best Connecticut Playwright, Bert Bernardi, Cinderella Skeleton

Best Original/New Work, Bert Bernardi/Scott Simonelli, Cinderella Skeleton