Plum High School's performance of "Singin' in the Rain" has earned three nominations for the 2008 Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater.

Plum was nominated for best all-student orchestra, best choreography and Brad Pietryga was nominated for best supporting actor.

Plum's orchestra is up against students from CAPA, Hampton, Pine-Richland, Taylor Allderdice and West Mifflin.

The choreography will compete with Central Catholic, North Catholic, North Hills, Pine-Richland and Woodland Hills.

Brad Pietryga, senior, is up against Michael Campayno from Central Catholic, Alex Cosentino from Riverview, Nicholas Rushe from Woodland Hill, Ted Stevenson from Central Catholic and Shaun Umpleby of West Mifflin.

In 2007 Brad's portrayal of the Scarecrow in "The Wizard of Oz" earned him a best actor nomination in the Gene Kelly Awards.

This year Brad portrayed Cosmo Brown, Don Lockwood's best friend, and while this character was another humorous role for him, it was different.

"This is a fun part, it's more challenging," Brad said before opening night. "The Scarecrow is a fake character, not a real person, so you can make it more fantastic. This is a real person; you have to make it real and human to the audience. It's easier to be funny with straw and wobbly legs."

Brad's first musical experience was as a saxophone player in the pit.

Most of the 75-member cast learned to tap dance from Danielle Doefler, choreographer and Plum High School graduate, beginning in mid January for the production's April performances.

The Gene Kelly Awards Show will be May 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Benedum Center in downtown Pittsburgh.

Tickets to the awards ceremony became available to the public this week. For tickets, call 412-456-6666.

The Gene Kelly Awards also will be broadcast live on the Lightboard at Theater Square. This "Party on the Plaza" is free and open to the public.

Students, teachers, family and high school musical theater fans can gather in Katz Plaza at the corner of Seventh Street and Penn Avenue to view of the Lightboard broadcast.