Nick Adams, Natalie Weiss & Jacob Yandura to Judge Second Round of RISING STAR Singing Competition

This Sunday, March 13, RISE BAR is seeking it's next RISING STAR! Hosted by Broadways Marty Thomas (Xanadu, The Secret Garden, Wicked), the RISING STAR competition begins Sunday March 6! The contestants will be competing in an 8 week elimination style contest for a $1000 cast prize and paid bookings at RISE Bar with their respective solo show. In addition to it's cash and prize package, RISING STAR is offering networking opportunities with guest celebrity judges, fantastic exposure and valuable live stage experience.

The top 12 finalists were chosen from 40 by a panel of industry judges from a live audition. The following contestants advanced to the next round of competition. Katia Malarsky, Dominic Crossey, Diana Huey, Michael Muenchow, Sharisse Fransisco, Terrance Johnson, Desiree Rodriguez, Gabriel Violett, Carla Bordonara, Eric Jetner, Amanda Enriquez and James Avance.

This weeks judges include Nick Adams (Priscilla Queen of the Desert), composer Jacob Yandura (The Last of Canaan, Feral, Wringer) and Broadway Actress/Singer/Youtube Star/Vocal Coach, Natalie Weiss (Wicked, Les Miserebles, Everyday Rapture).

JACOB YANDURA (Composer). Current musicals with lyricist-collaborator Rebekah Greer Melocik include The Last Queen of Canaan (book by Harrison David Rivers), The Coup (written with Victor Lesniewksi), and Wringer, based on the novel by Jerry Spinelli (Off-Broadway, City Center). Recent recognitions include: the 2015 NAMT Festival of New Musicals (The Last Queen of Canaan), Ars Nova's two-year UNCHARTED residency (The Coup), the 2014 Johnny Mercer Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals, The York Theatre's NEO 2014 residency, the 2013 Yale Institute for Music Theatre, the 2012-2013 Dramatists Guild Fellowship, the 2012 Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project, Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, Cap21's Writers Residency and Ars Nova's ANT Fest 2013 (The Fearful Earful). Jacob holds a B.A. in Music Composition from Kenyon College and an M.F.A from New York University's Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program.

NICK ADAMS most recently starred as Fiyero in the First National Touring production of the Broadway hit Wicked. Most notably, He originated and starred as Adam/Felicia in the Tony winning Bette Midler produced Broadway musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Mr Adams was honored with a fellowship by the American Theater Hall of Fame for his "Breakthrough Performance" , received a nomination for the 2011 Astaire Award for Best Dancer on Broadway and won two Broadway Audience Choice Awards. Also on Broadway: A Chorus Line (Larry), Guys and Dolls, Chicago (Mary Sunshine standby), La Cage Aux Folles (2010 Tony Winning Revival), and The Pirate Queen. TV and Film credits include: Sex and the City 2, An Englishman in New York, "Smash," "As the World Turns," "Guiding Light," "Dancing with the Stars," "Rosie Live," "It Could Be Worse," "The Kennedy Center Honors," "Regis and Kelly," "Good Morning America," "The View," "The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade," "Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris," multiple telecasts of "The Tony Awards," and Keith on the upcoming season two of "Go-Go Boy Interrupted." Concerts: New York Pops 30th Anniversary (Carnegie Hall), Songs For A New World (Director Jeff Calhoun), Naples Philharmonic, Indianapolis Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, Boston Pops, Cincinnati Pops, Birdland, NYC Gay Men's Chorus, 54 Below. Regional: Bucks County Playhouse, Papermill Playhouse (Prince Eric, Disney's The Little Mermaid), Pittsburgh CLO, Kansas City Starlight, The MUNY, & Lyric of Oklahoma. Mr Adams has instructed several master classes nation wide, has served on the guest faculty of The Boston Conservatory Musical Theatre Dance Intensive as well as The Broadway Dreams Foundation, and is regarded as a Capezio Dance Athlete. Nick has been featured in several national media outlets including Vanity Fair, DNA Magazine, Paper Magazines' Beautiful People issue and the covers of Dance Spirit and Instinct Magazine. Recordings: Priscilla Queen of the Desert, La Cage Aux Folles, The Pirate Queen, Dee Does Broadway, Crossroads Broadway Compilation album. BFA Boston Conservatory. www.NicholasAdams.com @thenickadams

Natalie recently took part in the reading of the upcoming Hugh Jackman movie musical, The Greatest Showman, based on the life of P.T. Barnum, with original music by Pasek and Paul. Notable credits include Everyday Rapture on Broadway and tours of Les Mis & Wicked. Natalie was an American Idol season 4 semi-finalist, has performed the National Anthem at Cowboys & Shea Stadium, but is most well known for her Youtube videos. She has gained an international following from her performance videos & popular web series, "Breaking Down The Riffs", which have collectively reached over 4 million views. She heads over to Europe in 3 weeks for her 2nd solo concert and teaching tour!

Judges from the first three weeks of competition included Alysha Umphress (ON THE TOWN), Emily McNamara (AWESOME 80s PROM), Composer Jeff Thomson (TRAILS THE MUSICAL), Composer Jonathan Reid Gealt (FORWARD), Michelle Dowdy (HAIRSPRAY) and Singer/Arranger/Vocal Coach Chris Dilley (POWER BREATHING FOR SINGERS, BIV).

Other industry pros scheduled to appear as judges throughout the competition include Choreographer Shea Sullivan, Christine Dwyer (WICKED), Katie Thompson (GIANT, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE), Matt Deangelis (HAIR), Rosalind Brown (FOOTLOOSE), Kate Lumpkin (FOX East Coast Casting), Musical Director Laura Berquist (ALLEGIANCE), Entertainment Magazine editor Ryan Brinson (BLEEP MAGAZINE), Marissa Rosen (PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT), Pop Star Ari Gold, Paul Caanan (KINKY BOOTS), Kate Rockwell (BRING IT ON!), Ryann Redmond (IF/THEN), , More special appearances will be announced soon.

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