Stiff competition at Lake Region's Got Talent show - By Leigh Macmillen Hayes

The competition was steep at the third annual Lake Region’s Got Talent show held Sunday afternoon, January 31, at the Magic Lantern on Depot Street in Bridgton.

Laura Taylor, Kristin Farwell and Liza Collins-Schrader, a trio of dancers from Windham, took home the top prize after performing a jazzy routine to “Can’t Rely on You.” They were awarded a cash prize of $300, a plaque, a presentation bouquet from Maine Lakes Wedding and Event Florist & Raymond Village Florist, a photo shoot from SAvery Photography, and gift certificates from Steamboat Landing Miniature Golf, Rodgers Ski & Sport, Fountain of You and Pat’s Pizza. There also were gift cards from Dunkin Donuts, the Magic Lantern, Bull Moose and McDonald’s of Bridgton.

 

Placing second was Abbie Vaughn of Brownfield, who looked like Ariel from The Little Mermaid as she sang “Part of Your World.” Abbie won a cash prize of $200 and a plaque plus a presentation bouquet from Maine Lakes Wedding and Event Florist & Raymond Village Florist, a photo shoot from SAvery Photography, and gift certificates from Steamboat Landing Miniature Golf, and Rodgers Ski & Sport There also were gift cards from Dunkin Donuts, the Magic Lantern, Bull Moose and McDonald’s of Bridgton.

Winning third place was Brianna Warren of Casco, with a contemporary dance performance set to “The Mask.” Brianna won a cash prize of $100, a plaque, a presentation bouquet from Maine Lakes Wedding and Event Florist & Raymond Village Florist, a photo shoot from SAvery Photography, and a gift certificate from Steamboat Landing Miniature Golf. There also were gift cards from Dunkin Donuts, the Magic Lantern, Bull Moose and McDonald’s of Bridgton.

Appropriately attired in a tuxedo, emcee Peter Allen of Gorham kept the show moving with questions for each performer and comments about upcoming events. 

Judges for the show were actress Barbara Stauble, director Jerry Walker, music teacher Jenni Null, director/actress Patti Hibbard and LRCT board member Laurie Shepard.

As the audience and performers waited for the final calculation of votes, Chris Madura shared Lake Region Community Theatre’s twenty year history through a slide show, ending with the announcement that LRCT will present Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka The Musical in August. 

Guitarist/vocalist Christian Martin, winner of last year’s talent show, entertained the audience with two songs. 

“This event raised close to $2,000, which we’ll use to celebrate our 20th anniversary with this summer’s production of Willy Wonka,” said Janet Ver Planck, president of the LRCT Board of Directors. “We’re thankful for all of the contestants who auditioned and participated. We saw so many talented kids during the past month. We’re also thankful for the Magic Lantern, the audience and all of our sponsors. I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention the judges and our board members who volunteered their time to be here each week and helped make Lake Region’s Got Talent such a success.”

All of the shows are televised on Lake Region Television.