by Linda Amiel Burns
                           photos by Maryann Lopinto

On July 13, 2015, Scott Siegel’s Broadway Rising Stars, scored a triumphant evening of song at The Town Hall.  This is the 9^th years of this national showcase that introduces New York audiences to the next generation of up-and-coming talent. The “Stars of Tomorrow” are chosen by a panel of judges from among the most outstanding new graduates of performing arts schools: AMDA, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Cap 21, Circle in the Square Theatre School, Marymount Manhattan College, The New School, both NYU’s Steinhardt and Tisch School of the Arts and other acclaimed institutions.  In the past 8 years, participants have appeared in Broadway and TV Shows and countless national tours both in the US and abroad.

The production team consisted of Scott Siegel, the creator, writer, director and genial host of the evening. Jon Fischer served as musical director and pianist, Jerry DeVore on bass & Dan Gross on drums.  Scott Coulter smoothly directed the show with Vibecke Dahle, doing the choreography. This year the theme was classic songs from the Disney catalog with works by such legendary composers as Stephen Schwartz, Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and others.

The show began with the show business prayer “Bless Our Show” from Sister Act, a perfect opening to introduce the talented and attractive cast.  As the evening progressed, it was apparent that each and every singer wowed the audience with their amazing voices and confident presentation. Everyone was well trained, understood their material, and put their songs across with great style. What they all had in common was the willingness to put in the requiredwork and the determination to succeed in this difficult yet exciting business. I have attended many of these showcases and can always talk about certain outstanding performers, but they were all terrific and ready and prepared to take the next big step in their careers.

Christine Baird        “Once Upon A Dream/Someday My Prince                                                              Will Come” (Sleeping Beauty/Snow White)
                                Marymount College

Sarah Bishop           “The Life I Never Led” (Sister Act)  CCM

Anne Bragg   “Almost There” (The Princess And The Frog)  Masters NYU

Francesca Capetta  “God Help The Outcasts” (The Hunchback of Notre Dame) AMDA

Sommer Carbucia  “Proud Of Your Boy” (Aladdin) NYU Tisch

Ben Chavez               “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” (The Lion King)
                                 NYU Tisch

Malik Eccleston     “A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes” (Cinderella)
                                 Age 16 – Student at Town Hall Theater Company

Renee Gagner          “He’s a Tramp” (Lady & The Tramp)  CAP21

Josh Greenblatt        “Endless Night” (The Lion King) NYU Steinhardt

Paola Hernandez       “I Wanna Be a Rockette” (Kicks: The Showgirl                                              Musical) – Never produced. Circle in the Square

Ally Kupferberg         “Colors of the Wind” (Pocahontas) - Marymount

Charlie Meredith        “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah (Song of the South)
                                   Sang and tap danced to song.  CCM

Pepe Nufrio              “One Song” (Snow White) –AMDA – from Madrid.

DJ Plunkett               “Go The Distance” (Hercules)  CCM

Adam Huel Potter   “Be Prepared” (The Lion King)  Circle in the Square

Jacob Pressley          “If I Can’t Love Her” (Beauty & The Beast)
                                   Cornish College of the Arts - Seattle

Coco Smith                “Poor Unfortunate Souls” (The Little Mermaid) AMDA

Harriet Taylor           “Where Do I Go From Here” (Pocahontas) NYU Tisch

Austin Thomas          “Her Voice” (The Little Mermaid)  CAP21

The entire cast came on stage to sing a rousing and well-choreographed “Circle of Life” from The Lion King. The show ended with the iconic Disney song “When You Wish Upon A Star” from Pinocchio. Here’s hoping that “wishing will make it so” and that the dreams come true for these talented Rising Stars!