Mark Steven Schmidt’s exhilarating performance Friday fueled emotions of love and despair on “Music of the Night” from “The Phantom…”
Schmidt had a breakout night at the “Showcase of Talent” at La Hacienda Recreation Center. The man some call “Super Tenor” was in exquisite, powerful form and earned a loud and long standing ovation.
But Schmidt wasn’t alone in delivering a heart-wrenching performance.
Lea Howard dedicated Barry Manilow’s, “Weekend In New England” to her son, Matt. He is in the Air Force and spent the past two years stationed in Japan.
“It’s hard for me to sing that song,” Howard said. “The only way I can get through it is not to think of Matt. I just concentrate on the words and the music.”
Diana Arlt and her husband, Joe, host the “Showcase of Talent” which has become a monthly ritual for Villages’ performers.
The shows always sell out and money raised goes to help young musicians. This Sunday, April 23 at 5 p.m. in Laurel Manor, the Bob Washington Jazz Scholarship Finals will be held. The Showcase of Talent will donate $5,000 to that cause and also give young musicians a chance to display their talent.
“These kids are special,” Diana Arlt said, “and we’re proud to be able to help them.”
There were many special performances Friday night.
Arlt started the show with the Off Broadway Dancers on “Fame.” She returned later with Bob Muldoon and Rosie Kobus singing Laura Nyro’s “Wedding Bell Blues.”
Juanita Doyle brought a classy sound and look to “At This Moment” and Melody Gardner added some power to “Broken Hearted Me.”
The show was all about the ‘80s and John Manion brought back memories with “Lady” while Andy Malinosky kept the beat on “Our Day Will Come.”
Barbara Kelty sang an emotional “Someday” and Glorianne Lowe turned up the heat on “Goody Goody.”
Lynne Albers touched the heart covering Dionne Warwick’s “I’ll Never Walk This Way Again,” while Donna Francis made like Cyndi Lauper on the power-ballad, “Time After Time.”
The Mystic Jewels dance troupe shook the stage and closed the show with Cher’s “Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves.”
