Maltz Jupiter's 8th Annual Palm Beach Idols Declared A Success

South Florida's finest talent became superstars on July 9 at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre Guild's eighth annual Palm Beach Idols. The fundraiser raised approximately $7,000 for the not-for-profit Maltz Jupiter Theatre Conservatory of the Performing Arts.

The 2011 Palm Beach Idols were adult winners Daniel Cochran, 26, of West Palm Beach, who sang "The Prayer," and Matt Siregar, 22, of Port Saint Lucie, who sang "Me and Mrs. Jones," teen winner Patricia Suarez, 16, of Boca Raton, who sang and danced to "I Can't Do It Alone," and youth winner Emily Brooke, 12, of Wellington, who sang a song and played guitar to a song she wrote herself, "Smile From An Angel."

A total of 25 acts performed, chosen from nearly 90 who auditioned. The show included contestants of all ages, with talents that included singing, dancing and those playing musical instruments. A total of $1,425 in cash prizes were given to the winners in each category, chosen by the audience and a panel of celebrity judges. The evening was emceed by Kathy Greene, program director and on-air personality at WJTW 100.3 FM. Previous contestants from the annual talent show have gone on to star in Broadway shows such as Beauty and the Beast and Mary Poppins.

"The response from the audience this year was overwhelming, and I felt this was one of the best Palm Beach Idols shows we've put on," said Eileen Weissmann, the event's producer and Guild member. "I am so honored to have been involved in this show each year on behalf of the Guild, which does so much to help the Theatre and its Conservatory."

In the adult category, second and third places went to singer Eliza Duane, 27, of Jensen Beach, who sang "Cowboy Sweetheart," and singer and guitar player Robert Caperna, 20, of Jupiter, who performed "Gypsy Mc." In the teen category, second and third places went to Cristina Caperna, 17, of Jupiter and Nicky Wood, 16, of Port St. Lucie, who sang "Phantom of the Opera," and Lindsey Trimble, 15, of Jupiter, who sang "All That Jazz." In the youth category, second and third place winners went to Carmen Garcia, 10, of Boca Raton, who sang "My Heart Will Go On," and Lily Marie, 9, of Jupiter, who sang "You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile."

The next opportunities to perform on the Maltz Jupiter Theatre stage will be in two different sets of auditions: our Youth Artists' Chair student-run production "The Good Times are Killing Me," for ages 8-18 on Aug. 6, and "First Step to Stardom" for ages 8-13 on Aug. 13 (for children's ensemble roles in the December production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat).

For more information about auditions, go to www.jupitertheatre.org and click on "First Step to Stardom" and/or "Youth Artists Chair." For information about joining the Guild, call (561) 972-6106.

About the Maltz Jupiter Theatre
The Maltz Jupiter Theatre is an award-winning professional not-for-profit regional theatre dedicated to the performing arts whose mission is to entertain, educate and inspire our community. The Theatre is a member of the prestigious League of Resident Theatres and is located east of U.S. Highway 1 at 1001 East Indiantown Road and State Road A1A in Jupiter. For more information about the Theatre's upcoming shows and Conservatory of Performing Arts, visit www.jupitertheatre.org or call the box office at (561) 575-2223.

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