"Broadway Idol," a talent competition seeking to find the newest musical theatre star presented by the New York Musical Theatre Festival, returns this summer for its second season. Broadway veteran Andrea McArdle will serve as the host of this year's competition.
The competition is part of the NYMF @ Nite party series and takes place over three consecutive Friday evenings at 10PM at Stitch Bar and Lounge, where nine aspiring stars will battle for the coveted crown and their very own concert venued at and produced by Ars Nova.
Beginning with the opening round on Friday, September 21, eliminations will occur weekly, as the contestants are critiqued by panels of celebrity musical theatre judges, including Anthony Rapp, Marc Shaiman, Denis O'Hare, Lonny Price, Manoel Felciano and Stephanie D'Abruzzo. Contestants are then chosen to advance in the competition by audience member voting through Verizon wireless text messaging immediately at the conclusion of each performance round. Christopher D. Littlefield will serve as the event's Musical Director, and Jess McLeod will direct.
The theme for each of the three competition rounds is as follows:
Round One: September 21
"My Favorite Things" – Contestants sing their favorite tunes from any Broadway show.
Round Two: September 28
"Broadway Rocks!" – Contestants sing a rock song from a Broadway show.
Final Round: October 5
"Star to Be" – Contestants sing one song from Broadway show pre-Oklahoma and one song from a Broadway show post-Hair.
Stitch Bar and Lounge is located at 247 West 37th Street, between 7th & 8th Avenues. Admission is $10 at the door, which includes one drink token. For more information, visit www.nymf.org or www.stitchnyc.com.
This year's "Broadway Idol" contestants are: Laura Daniel, Nick Dothèe, Henry Gainza, Gabrielle Maes, Auri Marcus, DeMond B. Nason, Stephanie Pitsiladis, George Psomas, Isabel Santiago, and Alysha Umphress. These 10 contestants were chosen from open auditions held earlier this month in New York.
LAURA DANIEL
...won the NYMF Award of Excellence for Outstanding Individual Performance as the title character in The Tragic and Horrible Life of the Singing Nun last year. Other favorite roles include Rita in Lucky Stiff and Educating Rita (Inland Theatre League Award), Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Gooch in Mame, Elizabeth in Frankenstein, and Agnes of God. She has written and performed two solo shows, CHEER and Love in 35 Minutes, and won the NYU Craft Award for Lead Actress in the short film Sincerely Yours. Dedicated to my partner, Rob, my family and friends. Love you all!
NICK DOTHÉE
...grew up in San Francisco and moved to NYC two years ago after graduating from the School of Drama at North Carolina School of the Arts. Since he has been in the city he has sung all over at various concerts and benefits including his own show at the Ritz. Recently Nick completed the 30 Week Acting Conservatory at the Barrow Group. Some of his all time favorite musical theatre roles include Tony in West Side Story, Robbie in A Man of No Importance, Joseph in the show with the coat, and Jinx in Forever Plaid. Vote for me or else! www.myspace.com/nickdothe.
HENRY GAINZA
