Talented Kids Take the Stage at the 4th Annual Ritz Kids Talent Show
November 2012 from the archives
If Newburgh is on the cusp of a rebirth, the Ritz theater hopes to be the host venue for the celebration. The historic theater on the corner of Broadway and Liberty boasts an unparalleled list of star performers of old. The Ritz has seen the likes of Lucille Ball and Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and more.
In order to share their hope for restoration, The Ritz invited local Newburgh school children to audition for The “Newburgh’s Got Talent!”talent show. Event organizer Lynda Parisi said that the annual show helps to raise awareness about the future plans at the venue and bring new community faces through the box office doors so that the magic of the Ritz can set-in.
This was Ramos’ second Ritz Kids performance
11 acts took the stage on Sunday, November 18thto deliver on that sentiment. Students as young as 11 took fearlessly to the stage to sing, dance and show off their originality standing in front of acclaimed judges Theresa Brown, Jonny Nelson, james Nelson and Susanne Shand.
Taylor Brooks and Illiana Lopez from South Middle School kicked-off the show with a spunky choreography set to “Pump it Up” by the Black Eyed Peas.
Maia Dron also from S.M.S. – a solo songstress – stood bravely on stage pouring her heart into Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful”.
Dancer Cicilia Sanchez turned, tumbled and twisted through “Lights” by Ellie Goulding.
Cicilia takes private dance at Encore
Katie Trimm from Balmville showed her prowess on the piano working her way through a playful rendition of Linkin Park’s “Shadow of the Day.”
Pianist Mei-Ling Sabater (below) brought a sweet vocal to “Should Have Kissed You” by Chris Brown – landing the chords on the ivory keys gracefully.
A blissfully confident Ameesah Cotten – 5th grader at Balmville – dazzled over Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain” capturing the power of the ballad, landing the English spitfire’s impromptu vocal runs.
Original musicians Sal Fratto (drums/vocals), Angel Salcedo (bass) and Dorian Miele (guitar/vocals) of Better Late Than Never laid down a rip-roaring rock song called “Hannah” in two-part harmony and three parts awesome – it was the second time on stage for the Newburgh Free Academy trio who took third place in the competition.
Philip Ramos was spot on over some hard-to-hit high notes during Bruno Mars’ “It Will Rain” and 6th grader Hayley Benedict powered skillfully through “This is the Stuff”.
Hayley Benedict
Jamila and Jada Oglesby performed a sultry acapella song called “We All Have Our Scars” written in two-part harmony that landed them second place in the competition.
Jamila and Jada took 2nd place
Briana Bene-Espinal (A repeat performer from last year’s show) sang a soulful “Crazy For You” accompanied by Teresa-Esmeralda Sanchez on the ukulele.
Briget Ruggiero – last year’s 3rd place winner –charmed the judges with her original song, “Butterflies” which she delivered over the grand piano with strong vocal control and eloquent poise. Ruggiero took first place.
1st Place winner Bridget Ruggiero
The Ritz is preparing to kick-off a capital campaign for a 15M restoration project that will re-open the doors and set-the stage for a future of performing arts in Newburgh.
Dorian from Better Late then Never helped the original band secure 3rd place
Check out Last Years Performers: “Ritz Kids Bring Down the House”
photos by Jon Valle
article by Stefanie Pearl
