Way to Go: Steven Telsey, Great Neck

A Great Neck South High School senior is up for a national-level theater award after winning a prestigious regional trophy for his performance of Adolpho in the school's fall production of "The Drowsy Chaperone."

Steven Telsey, 18, received the Gershwin Award for best leading actor in the New York City region. The award was presented by Camp Broadway, a summer program that offers classes taught by Broadway professionals.

"I wasn't expecting to win. I was happy to just be there," Telsey said. Of his love of theater, he said: "No matter what's happening in someone's life, for two hours they can just forget about it and have fun."

Telsey advances to the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, to be held at Manhattan's Minskoff Theatre on June 30. He and 55 other regional winners also will receive a week of professional training and rehearsals.

To win the Gershwin Award, Telsey competed against 39 other local students. All were nominated by teachers, based on their portrayal of a leading character.

"As a performer, he is able to hold the audience in the palm of his hand and, in the case of Adolpho, have them laughing in the aisles," Great Neck drama teacher Thomas Marr said.