Rising Star Competition Announces Performers Advancing to Week 3 8/16

After a tremendously successful first season, Rise Bar's talent contest returns! The new summer installment will be on TUESDAY nights!

The RISING STAR competition began Tuesday August 2nd. Singers compete in an 8 week elimination style contest for a $1000 cash prize and a fully produced, paid solo show at Rise. In addition to the cash and prize package, RISING STAR offers networking opportunities with celebrity judges, fantastic exposure, and valuable live stage experience.

The top 12 finalists were chosen from over 60 auditionees and at least 2 will go home this week.

Stephanie Berry
ROMAN CAESAR
LINDELL CARTER
EVAN GALLAGHER-FRACE
MELISSA JENNIFER GONZALEZ
GABRIELLE GORMAN
LYON HART
CAROLINE MEMNON
RYAN MURVIN
NATHAN NAPIER
Shauni Ruetz
JASMINE THOMAS

The remaining will compete for votes by singing 80's songs!

AUG 16th Industry Judges:

Marty Thomas
Broadway performer, recording artist, host and producer (and wig/ hair stylist for Broadway and more)! He made his Broadway debut at age 11 in THE SECRET GARDEN. He then went on to star in WICKED, XANADU, and off-Broadway hit PAGEANT. Marty is the host and creator of the long-running show DIVA on Monday nights at Industry Bar. Other highlights: 2 Broke Girls and Big Gay Musical The Movie. Fun fact- Marty competed against Britney Spears on Star Search when they were kids. AND HE BEAT HER! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4lA-Kp-VMQ

Vicky Modica is a native NYCer who's worked in theater all over the country, hustling and belting for the boys (and the girls who love them). She has proudly survived the world famous Apollo stage twice! She was the winner of Bar- tini Ultra Lounge's talent competition and was awarded $1000 cash and her own solo show.. Current projects: MS. Cha Cha in "pop-vaudeville" The Girly Show at Stage 72!, featured singer for Pink Floyd tributes http://www.prognosismusic.com/ & http://www.amerifloyd.com/ and front woman for Totally Radical 80s Tribute http://www.whiteweddingband.com/ She is also a master makeup and brow artist! http://makeupbymodica.com/

Antoine Smith is currently performing 8 times a week on Broadway in THE COLOR PURPLE. He also was in the Broadway company of MEMPHIS and BEAUTIFUL. National Tours: First National Tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA and CATS. Antoine is a proud member of the Broadway Inspirational Voices. He recently participated in the Covenant House Sleep Out to support homeless youth. Antoine also sang at the Black Lives Matter concert alongside India Arie, Audra McDonald, and Billy Porter to name a few. Keep your eye on The Broadway for Black Lives Matter Collective #BWAY4BLM

Theme for Aug 16 show- 80's!