Orcas Has Talent: And the Winners Are…

–by Cara Russell–

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The winners are:
• 1st Place: Stormy Hildreth ($500)
• 2nd Place: Carl Burger ($200)
• 3rd Place:  Michael Harlow ($100)

Orcas Has Talent has sold out every single year, for the last 10 years. And for their 10th anniversary, new talent, new names and big news filled the happy and bittersweet event.

It began with the return of John Clancy, funny and friendly, as the Master of Ceremonies. Eight contestants joined him on stage:

• Carl Burger
• Arianna Dean
• Michael Harlow
• Susan Egon
• Stormy Hildreth
• Sasha Hagen
• Brianna Rose
• Cali Bagby

These contestants had all earned their golden ticket at the adult auditions which were held at The Grange on January 24th.

The same friendly coaches from the auditions and junior competition were back again:

• Susan Osborn
• Jake Perrine
• Karen Key Speck
• Ken Speck

Perrine made the night even more enjoyable with his off-the-cuff jokes, and spur-of-the-moment climb onto the stage from his seat to help a contestant with a microphone snafu.

Lining the walls of the auditorium were many students in purple shirts: the high school leadership program Point Blank led by Julie Pinardi. Later in the evening she announced that the club will be taking on a new name, ‘Next Generation.’ All net proceeds from the OHT shows will benefit the leadership group, as they have for the past 10 years.

The night proceeded in three rounds. In the first round, all eight contestants participated. Susan Egon owned the stage and was nothing but class as she sang ‘Since I Fell for You.’ The affable, 17-year-old Sasha Hagen addressed the audience, comparing the classical music composer Brahms, to contemporary performers of today. His violin performance of the Brahms piece was passionate, “pushing the edge over and over,” as judge Susan Osborn said.

Six contestants advanced to the second round; Burger, Dean, Harlow, Hildreth, Rose, and Bagby. Dean, who is graduating from Orcas High School this year, had a perfect song choice that showcased her lovely alto voice; she followed her first round lament with a sparky, playful performance of a country song in the second round.

Brianna Rose, a 25-year-old single mom, wore her hair in liberty curls, and came out in a different pair of boots for her two performances. Accompanied by Wade Lucas on guitar, Rose sang country and told a story with each song. Judge Karen Speck said after Rose sang ‘American Honey,’ “your singing draws people in.”

Cali Bagby got up close and personal with the audience, as judge Karen Speck noted. Bagby sang ‘Maybe This Time’ from “Cabaret” with her own desperate abandon that fully matched Liza Minelli’s in the film version of that show. In the second round, Bagby fully confronted the danger and wide range of emotions that come with a lost love in Abba’s ‘The Winner Takes it All.’

Three contestants moved on to the final round; Burger, Harlow, and Hildreth.

Burger had more than earned his finalist spot as he had played with dizzying accomplishment three different instruments (guitar, 12 string guitar, and banjo) as well as wearing three different snazzy pairs of suspenders. Harlow, a violinist from Orcas Christian School, dedicated his last song to his family: “I wouldn’t be here today without them.” Harlow’s performances of the ‘Meditation’ from “Thais,” and two Schubert pieces,were impressive for their poise and polished accomplishment.

Hildreth sang in all three of her performances, and played piano in the second number, with an amazing intensity. In introducing her third song, ‘My Heart Will Go On’ from “Titanic,” Hildreth said that her passion for singing was matched by her love of dogs, particularly her family dog, who died last year. “This one’s for you, Jelly,” she said before captivating the audience again with her performance, which earned her a standing ovation,

The final contestants left the stage and this years’ Junior Competition winner, Leo Miller, performed for the audience’s enjoyment his breakdance routine to ‘My Heart’s a Stereo’ –up-rocking, the arm wave, locking, and more. It won’t be long until Miller is doing windmills, headspins, and jackhammers.

‘Almost Classical,’ last year’s Orcas Has Talent winners, returned to the Center Stage for a performance of violins, piano, and perfect singing harmony. Emy and Lisa Carter are high school seniors this year and will be heading to college in the fall, but we’re not too worried about 14-year-old Paris Wilson, who we trust will continue to charm and impress Orcas audiences.

Last night was also an evening of short films. Ed Wilson created a video with a message of all the good that ‘Next Generation’ does for youth. And OHT producer Donna and son Matthew Laslo shared a short film that was a compilation of Orcas Has Talent and Orcas Idol past.

Donna Laslo recalled for the audience the self-confidence and experience young performers have gained to take their craft to the next level. Over the years OHT has also raised $60,000 from the show; funds that have all gone back to the community.

Uncharacteristically, Laslo’s eyes welled and her voice choked as she announced both her gratitude to the community for supporting OHT, as well as the news that after much discussion, OHT will be taking a break and taking next year off. Laslo said that the break will be a time of great new ideas and renewed energy, with the expectation to see some form of OHT again soon.

And then the frames of previous performers and winners served as a reminder of all the happy times that Orcas Idol and Orcas Has Talent have brought.