30 Days of NYMF: The Vocal Decathalon

THE VOCAL DECATHALON
by Eric Louie (NYMF Associate Producer/Co-Producer of Broadway Idol)

We scream and applaud as every actress playing "Brooklyn" does permanent damage to her vocal cords belting through the final minute of "Once Upon a Time" in a key register the human ear can't fathom. It's never a question of which "Elphaba" gave the most real and emotionally fulfilling performance, but rather which actress best "defied gravity" by sustaining that final note the highest, loudest, and longest. And now with the advent of You Tube, these vocal showdown comparisons are only intensifying.

When Kris and Isaac asked me to take over Broadway Idol this year, I jumped at the chance. Now, before I continue, I have to admit that I'm a recovering American Idol addict (I was OBSESSED with the first season, and yes… I've seen From Justin to Kelly), but with Broadway Idol, I knew I it had to be more than a vocal pyrotechnic showcase.

About a week ago we held auditions for this year's contestants and after much deliberation, the Idol team narrowed our audition pool down to 10 exciting and diverse contestants who not only can sing the bejesus out of their songs, but also (and to an extent more importantly) form an emotional connection with the words they are singing. Remember these names: Laura Daniel, Nick Dothèe, Henry Gainza, Gabrielle Maes, Auri Marcus, DeMond B. Nason, Stephanie Pitsiladis, George Psomas, Isabel Santiago, and Alysha Umphress.  They are all "the real thing."