Broadway's Megan Hilty Headlines KC SuperStar 2017; 24 Semi-Finalists Chosen for High School Singing Competition

Megan Hilty, known for her amazing singing talents on the Broadway stage, film and the critically-acclaimed television series "SMASH," will serve as host for 2017 KC SuperStar finals on Sunday, August 27.

KC SuperStar is the high school singing competition ala "The Voice" that searches for the best singer in the Greater Kansas City area. Produced by the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City, the top singer is awarded a $10,000 scholarship.

KC SuperStar is the annual fundraiser for The J. Proceeds from KC SuperStar help provide transportation, meals, education, camp, wellness programs and the arts to so many deserving children, families, individuals and senior adults.

Hilty made her Broadway debut as Glinda in the musical "Wicked" opposite Tony Award winner Idina Menzel. After a year on Broadway, Hilty continued with "Wicked" on tour and in the 2007-2009 Los Angeles production.

Hilty starred as Doralee in "9 to 5: The Musical," the role Dolly Parton portrayed in the film. For her turn in "9 to 5: The Musical" Hilty was nominated for a Drama Desk Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award, a Drama League Award, and an Ovation Award all for Best Actress in a Musical. Most recently she received a 2016 Tony Award nomination for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play, as well as Drama Desk and Drama League Award nominations for the role of "Brooke Ashton" in Noises Off.

On television Hilty is best known for her starring role as "Ivy Lynn" in the critically acclaimed show "Smash". Most recently, Hilty starred opposite Sean Hayes in "Sean Saves the World". Additional television credits include "The Good Wife," "Difficult People," "Bones," "The Closer," "Desperate Housewives" and "Ugly Betty".

Hilty has released three albums, co-starred in the feature film "Rules Don't Apply" from director Warren Beatty. She maintains an active concert schedule, both with symphony orchestras throughout the United States and in solo concert at smaller venues.

Twenty-four area high school students were chosen as semi-finalists for KC SuperStar. A panel of judges selected the students during two rounds of preliminary auditions in which each had to sing a selection a capella.

*The KC SuperStar Semi-finalists include (their name, high school, current year):

Brooklynn Anderson - Olathe North, Senior

Sam Aubuchon - Blue Springs School District, Sophomore (past finalist)

Cally Beckman - Grain Valley School District, Senior

Erin Cangelose - Blue Valley Northwest, Senior

Maurissa Cunningham - Kansas City MO School District, Sophomore

Brynna Darley - Lansing High School, Junior

Laura Fotovich - Blue Valley Southwest, Senior

Mallory Griffin - Oak Grove School District, Junior (past semifinalist)

Byron Hyde - Kansas City MO School District, Senior (past semifinalist)

Olivia Johnson - Oak Grove School District, Sophomore

Ezri Killeen - St. Thomas Aquinas, Senior

Jana Osborne - Pleasant Hill, Senior

Chloe Puetz - Blue Valley North, Junior

Olivia Sabates - Pembroke, Sophomore

Rebekah Schoenfelt - Pleasant Hill School District, Senior

Maela Jo Stevens - Wichita Northwest High School, Sophomore

Libby Terril - St. Teresa's Academy, Senior

Elijah Thomas - Raytown School District, Junior

Madi Toman - Paola, Junior (past finalist)

Valiante Waltz - Raymore Peculiar School District, Senior (past finalist)

Leah Willhite - Blue Valley West, Senior (past semifinalist)

Aggie Williams - Shawnee Mission East, Freshman

Devion Williams - Archbishop O'Hara, Junior

SavAnna Worthington - Shawnee Mission East, Junior

The KC SuperStar Semifinals will take place on Monday, June 5, in the White Theater at The J. This event is free and open to the public. The Aug. 27 finals will return to the recently renovated Yardley Hall at Johnson County Community College, in Overland Park. During finals a panel of professionals in the entertainment industry will judge the singers selecting the top four; the audience will then vote to determine the ultimate winner who will receive a $10,000 scholarship. Other singers will be awarded scholarships for second place - $5,000; Third Place-$2,500; and Fourth Place-$1,000.

Andrew and Sheryl Kaplan, longtime J members and dedicated volunteers, are chairing KC Superstar 2017. Eric and Shanny Morgernstern, also veteran J members and dedicated volunteers, join them as vice co-chairs of the musical event.

For more information about KC SuperStar, please visit www.kcsuperstar.org; please check out the Facebook page as well at http://www.facebook.com/KCSuperStar.

About "The J"

Established more than 100 years ago, the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City, "The J," provides a warm welcome to families of all backgrounds. "The J's" all-in-one hub for health, learning and well-being elevates the lives of the community and its members with programs of excellence in fitness, sports, theatre, cultural arts, senior adult programming and youth services including summer camps and child development. Everyone can live up at "The J," located in Overland Park, Kansas, and at thejkc.org.

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