The thespian festival cried Wolf!

Twelve-year-old Jonathan Wolf holds the Freddie G – All Festival Performance trophy after topping all male performers at the Junior Thespian Festival. (Contributed Photo)

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—And the festival cried “Wolf!”

Twelve-year-old Jonathan Wolf yet again set a first for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Wolf obtained a “superior” rank, the highest recognition in the Junior Thespian Festival, and was awarded the Freddie G – All Festival Performance trophy after topping all male performers.

Over 1,500 students flooded the Sacramento Convention Center and Sacramento Memorial Auditorium to take part in the first-ever collaboration of the Junior Thespian Festival and Junior Theater Festival West.

Wolf’s “superior” rank was obtained with his partner, Juliet Inocencio, in their National Individual Events at the Junior Thespian Festival.

They were the only Superior-Award Duet Acting team to land a main stage performance for the closing of the festivity. The four other on-stage performers include two monologues and two solo musicals.

The Feb. 10-12 debut of JTF West featured the participation of 35 groups, for a total of 1,429 students.

Wolf captured the hearts of numerous icons during the adjudication and main stage performances.

“Such a fun kid to watch, very captivating and humble. I look forward to seeing more of him,” said Douglas Berlon, deputy executive director, Educational Theatre Association. “You are such a wonderful man, very natural!”

iTheatrics founder and CEO Timothy McDonald of Musical Theater International (Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka and James and the Giant Peach, The Phantom Tollbooth) felt the gravity of Wolf’s personality.

“You are amazing! Continue your path and I hope to see more of you,” he said. He later requested a “selfie” with Wolf from Wolf’s mother/coach, Johanne Kristine Wolf.

Ken Cerniglia, Ph.D., Dramaturg and Literary manager at Disney Theatrical Group, was enthralled. “What an actor! I was hoping he had more lines…. I was drawn to his performance.”

Reacting to Wolf’s performance in the 15-minute, no-props, no costume Into The Woods, Dean McFlicker, senior vice president and creative director of Original Production, Live Events and Promotional Programming, NBC Entertainment, an award-winning producer and director of countless productions, said: “Jonathan Wolf is a star in the making. Watch out Broadway, he should be coming your way!”

It was Luca Padovan (Newsies, School of Rock) and Ryann Redmond (If/Then, Bring It On The Musical) who announced Wolf’s being presented with the Freddie G – All Festival Performance trophy.

They made the announcement on the main stage among the almost-4000-full capacity of the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium.

Wolf was also selected for The Broadway Jr. Slam and Performance All-Star.

He also landed an invitation to perform at the International Thespian Society in Lincoln, Nebraska and a JTF All-Star invitation to iTheatrics Junior Theater Academy in New York City.

The Junior Thespian Festival and Junior Theater Festival West will be holding the same festival next year in February. For more information on upcoming events visit the JTF EdTA and JTF West websites.