After a sold-out first year, the second annual “Happy Valley’s Got Talent” on Saturday will be bigger and better, with two shows at the State Theatre instead of one.
The top three finalists in each of four age categories will compete at 2 p.m. for the Kid’s Choice Awards. At 7 p.m., they’ll compete for cash prizes awarded by celebrity judges.
“If last year’s show was any indication of how exciting this event is, it’ll be packed. The audience will be at a fever pitch, the applause and cheering will be generous and raucous,” said event producer Jerry Sawyer. “Everyone will have a super time supporting their favorites.”
“Happy Valley’s Got Talent” is a fundraiser for Tides, a non-profit support program for grieving children, teens and their families.
“It’s a great cause to get behind, so we’re doing all we can to make sure that ‘Happy Valley’s Got Talent’ is a fantastic show,” Sawyer said. “The judges are being asked to judge one thing: Did this act entertain me? The audition judges focused on technical ability, professionalism, creativity and appearance. So the performers who reach the Finals have proven that they’re the real deal. Now we just want them to entertain us.”
Sawyer said the finals judges include Sue Paterno, radio personalities Jeff Brown of 93.7 The Bus and P.J. Mullen of B94.5’s Morning Zoo, singer, actress and comedienne Jordan Toronto. A new addition at the judge’s table this year is State College mayor Elizabeth A. Goreham.
The judges will award prizes of $200 for first place, $100 for second place and $50 for third place in each of the four age divisions.
For the new Kids’ Choice Awards, emcee Fred Metzger will ask the children in the audience to vote for their favorite performers by applauding. After measuring their response with a decibel meter, he will award a five-pound chocolate bar to the act with the loudest ovation in each division.
The finalists in this year’s Future Fame group (ages 12-15) include Lear Du’s classical piano performance, a pop vocal sung by Kaylee Corl and a vocal and piano performance of an original song by Anna Pearl Belinda.
The Rising Stars finalists (ages 16-20) include a modern and hip-hop style dance the Avid Dance Team, an Adele song sung by Emily Dennis, and a pop vocal with piano and violin by Matthew Weaver and Leia Wasbotten.
The Prime Time division finalists (21-39) are vocalist Curtis Ishler, the hip-hop dance team of Maria Malizia, Shaunte Nicole, and Quilan Arnold and the duo of vocalist Brett Altman and pianist Brian Cugini.
The Local Legends finalists (40 and over) are pianist Joan Coraor, singer and guitarist Barry Goldstein, and singer Regina Brannen.
During the evening show, the audience can bid on several live auction items: A weekend in Newport, R.I.; sailing and dinner in Annapolis, Md.; tickets and overnight expenses for a Steelers game; a gourmet dinner for eight prepared by Leoni McFarland; a DJ pizza party delivered by B94.5’s P.J. Mullen; and a luxury suite box for a Spikes baseball game.
One of the 2011 first-place winners will close the show.
“Noah Connolly did a drum solo that brought the house down last year and he offered to come back this year as a kind of thank you for the opportunity to showcase the percussion skills that landed him a real job. He’s now the drummer for My Hero Zero, a popular local band,” Sawyer said.
Happy Valley’s Got Talent is supported by many sponsors, including this year’s title sponsor, Pediatric Dental Care and Happy Valley Orthodontics.
Tickets are $10 for the matinee, $20 for the evening performance, and $30 for the 5 p.m. VIP reception at Rotelli. They can be purchased at the State Theatre box office, 130 W. College Ave., State College and online at thestatetheatre.org.
