Who's Your Broadway Idol NYMF 2007?
By: BWW News Desk Sep. 21, 2007
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"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.
...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
...is a Cuban-American Actor, Singer Songwriter that hails originally from Miami, Florida. Off-Broadway: 4 Guys Named Jose and Una Mujer Named Maria (Original Cast/Cast Recording). Workshops: In the Heights, Senor Discretion Himself, Mambo Kings, Angel On My Shoulder. Regional: Goodspeed Opera House, Arena Stage, Actor's Playhouse, Parker Playhouse, James L. Knight Center. Film & TV: "Saturday Night Live," Isabella Rico. Henry was recently a winner in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and the USA Songwriting contest, as well as, and honorable mention in VH1's Song of the Year. Love to LU!
GABRIELLE MAES
...wrote and recently starred in Bedraggled, a comic one-woman musical about an over-the-hill diva with dental problems. Her performance in that show won her a Best Actress nomination this year from the Montreal English Critics' Circle. Her musical career has brought her to international concert hall stages in Paris, Rotterdam, Oslo, Ottawa and elsewhere. Gabrielle's theatrical resumé features multiple stints in different productions of The Threepenny Opera, including one at the Segal Centre in Montreal. She is also the mother of three young children under the age of 8.
AURI MARCUS
...most recently toured the US as several storybook characters in TheatreworksUSA's If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and Other Storybooks. Other favorite credits include: Grease (Rizzo), The Waiting Room (Wanda), A Christmas Carol (Belle), Aly's Wedding (Bridesmaid) and Godspell. BFA Musical Theatre: Ithaca College. Proud member of AEA! Thanks for love and support: family, VP, Josh.
DEMOND B. NASON
...is a sunny San Diego native and graduate of The Boston Conservatory. This two time Boston pops soloist can currently be seen on Broadway at The Color Purple, mixing drinks at the mezzanine bar. Favorite theatre credits include: Mabel Washington (the fat female dancer) in Fame, Uncle John (the only black family member of the Joads') in The Grapes of Wrath, and a Cut Dancer (Boy with the head band) in A Chorus Line. National Tour: Lionel in Cinderella. Film: Julie Taymors' Across the Universe. DeMond is a proud member of AAA, AA, OA, AEA, and Jenny Craig. He gives great thanks to his family of friends, who have always added great support, wisdom, love, and joy to his life. All praise and thanks to Kathy Griffin's Emmy.
STEPHANIE PITSILADIS
...is absolutely thrilled at the opportunity to be performing as a contestant in "Broadway Idol." She started out at John Abbott College in Montreal, where she graduated from their three year Professional Theatre program. She moved on to Toronto, where she had her professional debut as the stand-by for Tracy in Hairspray. She has also appeared as Jan in Grease and Little Miss Muffet in Mother Goose. Besides producing, Stephanie also enjoys performing at various industrial shows and benefits including Brian Orser's "Friends for Aids". Stephanie would like to thank her family, friends and her wonderful boyfriend for their love and support.
GEORGE PSOMAS
...is a graduate of Muhlenberg College '05 with a double major in Theatre and Business. Regional: Godspell (Judas), Once Upon A Time in New Jersey (Rocco), Made in America: Irving Berlin (Juan), Joseph…Dreamcoat (Levi). Other Credits include: On the Town, Into the Woods, Pirates of Penzance, Wonderful Town, Tartuffe and Pentecost. NYC: Oh Lady Lady! with Musicals Tonight. Tour: Artspower. Voice-over: "The Upstate Four" Pilot (Kevin)- Bunko Studios and Cartoon Network. Thank you to my agent Nancy Carson, Bonnie, Bob Marks, my family and friends, and to Mom, Dad and Nicole for your endless love and support. Proud member of Actor's Equity.
ISABEL SANTIAGO
...is thrilled to be a part of NYMF's "Broadway Idol" 2007! Born in Reading, Pennsylvania to a supportive Puerto Rican/Italian/American Indian family with 6 sisters, 2 brothers, and 2 dogs. Weighs in at a hot 112 lbs. Lived in NYC for the past 2 years. Dream roles: Elphaba in Wicked and Nina in In The Heights. Likes: Dirty Martinis, Barbra Streisand, and Central Park. Dislikes: People who don't say "Thank You" when you hold the door for them and the color mauve. Professional resume, recordings, photos can be found at www.IsabelSantiago.com or MySpace at www.myspace.com/popmusicaltheatregirl
...is a graduate of The Boston Conservatory. Alysha just returned from Barrington Stage Company, performing in Songs.... hosted by William Finn and the premiere of Kirsten Childs' new musical Funked Up Fairy Tales. Alysha opened for Diana Krall at the Fujitsu Jazz Festival, soloed along side Carlos Santana at San Francisco's Fillmore Auditorium and performed with the Boston Pops. She was a 2007 MAC award nominee for Best Female Jazz Vocalist. Alysha has sung all over NYC from Joe's Pub and The Iridium to B.B. Kings and Birdland. Love you Matt. www.AlyshaUmphress.com
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