MEDIA THEATRE'S 'VOCALIST' CONTEST STARTED UP WITH HIGH NOTES APLENTY

The Media Theatre's annual summer singing competition, which is also an entertaining event for audiences, is "The Vocalist" and it hit high notes with its 2016 debut on Wednesday July 6. The talented singers were great examples of professionalism and poise as they each performed songs of their choice.

Professionalism was also exemplified by the warm emcee, Broadway actor Nicholas Saverine, who charmed the audience all night long with a bright personality and the ease of a stage veteran. Saverine has appeared on The Media Theatre stage several times in the past few years, and will be seen again this fall in Philadelphia's regional professional premiere of the Tony winning "Bridges of Madison County: The Musical".

"I feel so at home on this wonderful historic stage," Saverine said to the crowd of nearly 160. "I know these young performers do as well. This is a fantastic opportunity for them to have a summer showcase while expressing themselves the best way they can--by being vocalists."

Jesse Cline, the theatre's Artistic Director, who is one of the judges each week, added, "We look at this as an educational experience first and foremost. Yes, it's a contest and someone will eventually go home the winner, but the important aspect here is that they are able to perform each week on this professional stage in front of an audience. You cannot beat that type of education."

The other two judges during week one were actress and director Jennie Eisenhower and Iron Workers Bank President John Whitig.

Cline also chats with each contestant after they sing, giving himself, the judges, and the audience a chance to get to know more about them. Some are humorous, while others are more heartfelt. Some are a bit nervous, while others hide it well. It's a mostly unrehearsed evening of entertainment and one never knows exactly what will happen after the show begins.

The only rehearsal the contestants have is one session each week with the show's music director and accompanist, Ben Kapilow. They go through their song with him each week a few days prior to the contest performance and then...it happens live!

The contestants/ performers in "The Vocalist 2016" are all between the ages of 14-24, with this year's participants skewing toward the younger side. For most, it's an opportunity to hone their craft, but for some it's a first time experience on stage in front of an audience. For audiences, it's pure entertainment as Broadway songs and pop classics are performed each week by up and coming talent.

Tickets are $12 for children and $15 for adults during the show's first five weeks. No contestant is eliminated until after four weeks, with vote tallies and judges' scores being accumulated, and then "The Vocalist" heads into Week Five's Semi-Finals and Week Six's Finals. The ticket price goes up slightly for Week Six when the Top 15 perform, after being culled from this year's 27 contestants. The event is sponsored by Iron Workers Bank.

For tickets, call 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org. You may also vote for your favorite contestant online which may assist them in moving forward after week four.

Pictured: Media Theatre "Vocalist" participant Carrie Hytha, 21, of Phoenixville, who performed "Take The A Train" during the contest's 2016 opening.

Pictured: Media Theatre's Artistic Director Jesse Cline with Iron Workers Bank's John Whitig. IWB is the sponsor of "Vocalist" each summer.