LA's Next Great Stage Star 2011 rings in the New Year at Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's, the most critically acclaimed, award- winning supper club of its kind in Los Angeles. The fifth anniversary presentation of this distinguished musical theatre talent competition shines the spotlight on an unprecedented twenty (20) young contestants beginning Sunday, January 2. The weekly competition concludes Sunday, February 6th and has, once again set advance record sales. The annual event continues to be Executive Produced by Michael Sterling with Associate Producer Tony Monsour of Michael Sterling & Associates (www.msapr.net), and judged by an elite panel of Los Angeles theatre industry professionals. James Lent returns as Musical Director for his second year. Award- winning Choreographer Tania Possick joins the competition for her first time. Nick Sartoris (Sound and Lighting) and Riccardo Robinson (Production Assistance and Additional Lighting) round out the creative team.
Selected through an audition process held in mid December, Stage Star 2011 competitors include: sisterand brother Cristina Ballestero and Matthew Ballestero, Giana Bommarito, Reba Buhr, Alexandra Catalano, Amy Coles, Michael David, Jesse Einstein, Emily Goglia, Danni Katz, Paul Marchegiani, Megan McDermott, Matthew McFarland, Judy Mora, Kate Ponzio, Katrina Rennells, Nick Sarando, Conor Tibbs, Ashley Elizabeth Wright, and Casey Zeman.
2011 Stage Star Judges include: Michael Donovan - Michael Donovan Casting - Theatre, Film, Television, Commercials; Daniel Solis - Disney Entertainment Casting; Musical Theatre Producers/Directors: Stephanie Coltrin - Artistic Director - Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center; Nick DeGruccio - Artistic Director - Havok Theatre Company/Los Angeles, Director - Rent and 1776/Musical Theatre West/Long Beach, CA; David Elzer - Producer - The Marvelous Wonderettes, Life Could be a Dream; Steven Glaudini - Artistic Producer/ Director - Musical Theatre West/Long Beach, CA, Director - Moonlight Amphitheatre, Vista, CA; Daniel Henning - Artistic Director - Blank Theatre Company/Los Angeles; Oanh Nguyen - Producing Associate - South Coast Repertory Theatre/Costa Mesa, CA, Founding Artistic Director - Chance Theatre Anaheim Hills, CA; Robert Marra - Director - Chess and Oklahoma/Musical Theatre of Los Angeles; Dan Mojica - Associate Director/Choreographer - Disney's Beauty and The Beast - National and International Tours; Ms. Rey O'Day Artistic Producer/Director - Performance Riverside at the Landis Performing Arts Center; Calvin Remsberg - Vocal Coach and Director: Broadway Rocks Anaheim - Heritage Forum; Sweeney Todd/ Musical Theatre West/Long Beach, CA; Director/Composer/Writer: Richard Hochberg - Scary Musical, The Musical - ASCAP Disney Workshop Equity Department Theatre Agents: Jodie Bowman and Victoria Morris - Kazarian, Spencer, Ruskin & Associates; Dave Secor - Daniel Hoff Agency; and Steven Dry - Schiowitz/Connor/Ankrum/Wolf, Inc.; and
Sunday matinee competition times and dates are 12:30 - 3:00 pm January 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; and 11:30 am - 3:00 pm February 6, 2011.
Contestants will compete at each competition with no eliminations until the Finale on February 6, 2011. The Finale will determine the selection of one winner and four finalists. The winner will receive a $1000 cash prize and a lucrative, paid headlining engagement at Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's during 2011. Noted Los Angeles director Richard Hochberg will direct the winner's act. Upon the winner's debut at Sterling's, he or she will also be provided with a luxurious Suite by the Sheraton Universal Hotel and dinner for two in the hotel's signature Californias Restaurant. The Sheraton has extended the same such gift to Stage Star's first runner up. Known as the "Hotel of the Stars" for nearly 40 years, the Sheraton Universal blends four-star service with the history and glamour of an iconic Hollywood hotel. The Sheraton's participation with Michael Sterling & Associates, marks the hotel's third year as a Gold Sponsor of LA's Next Great Stage Star.
Additionally, the winner and its four finalists will receive auditions with Silver Sponsors: Julia Flores of Julia Flores Casting for (McCoy/Rigby Entertainment at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts), Glenn Casale - Resident Director - California Musical Theatre/Sacramento, CA; and Lewis Wilkenfeld - Artistic Director of Cabrillo Music Theatre at the Fred Kavli Theatre in the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza/Thousand Oaks, CA.
The winner will also receive a complete photo session with Hollywood celebrity photographer Michael Calas.
