By Marianna Salz, guest commentator
Published Tuesday, July 19, 2011
“Ain't about the cha-ching, cha-ching. Ain’t about the ba-bling ba-bling,” kept singing Sammy Salz, the 8-year-old more-sports-than-music-oriented son of this guest commentator, on his way home after attending Sunday night’s "Delco Idol Jr." competition at the Media Theater on State Street in Media.
Sammy, who is going into third grade at a Jewish day school, knew none of the contestants and had never spent any time of significance in Media. But, critic's notebook in hand (just for fun), he accompanied his mother to hear the 36 remaining 7-to-13-year-old contestants bring their best to the local music competition.
One memorable performance early in the first act was that of Teanna Rico (11, Essington). Dressed in a flowing dress and high heels, she sang Jessie J’s "Price Tag." The sassy Miss Rico showed great stage presence and certainly the right amount of attitude to carry the performance.
If JD Triolo (9, West Chester) wanted to win the hearts of mothers, he certainly chose the right song, with "Mama, a Rainbow" (from Minnie's Boys, a 1970 musical about the Marx Brothers). His sweet, yet powerful, performance brought tears to this mother’s eyes. It was, for this guest commentator, the evening’s most memorable performance.
Another contestant to be commended was little powerhouse Paige Mazzola (8, Glen Mills), who, despite forgetting some of the lyrics to "Brand New You" by Miranda Cosgrove, showed tremendous professionalism in picking right up and finishing her performance with aplomb.
One highlight of the second act was pint-sized Josh Feldman (7, Chadds Ford) looking super-cool in a tie and white, untucked shirt. Feldman belted out the Beatles' “Here Comes The Sun” with the intensity of a seasoned performer. Another highlight was Danny Briglia (11, Media), who showed off his vocal range and emotional maturity with "Talking to the Moon" by Bruno Mars.
A crowd favorite was Paul Mariani III (11, Ardmore), who dedicated his performance of John Lennon's "Imagine" to his counselor in school, who “taught that there is no place for hate.” Mariani's overall presence was enhanced by his sharp attire: a black-and-red outfit which featured tie, vest ... and a peace symbol.
13-year-old Meaghan Rossi, the only contestant from Philadelphia, dressed in an adorable pink “Glinda” dress, sang "Popular" from the musical Wicked, as did Alexandra Zeh (12, Wayne). Both ladies received high marks from Sammy Salz, despite his somewhat-irony-challenged notes to himself that “being popular isn’t everything.”
Overall, the evening provided wholesome family entertainment. It was particularly enjoyed by this mother, who rarely gets to enjoy this type of bonding experience with her sports-nut, non-musical-theater-watching son.
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Marianna Salz and Philadelphia Jewish Culture Examiner, Adam Taxin, are both available for hire as attorneys, writers, tutors and/or public-relations mavens.
To comment, please contact Philadelphia Jewish Culture Examiner at adamtaxin@gmail.com. The most interesting feedback, opinions, questions, hate mail, etc. may be published in future posts.
Other well-received recent Philadelphia Jewish Culture Examiner articles
Ardmore mini-Sinatra (11), Media man-hater (9) highlight 1st "Delco Idol Jr.": http://www.examiner.com/jewish-culture-in-philadelphia/ardmore-mini-sina...
Gallagher, Herrera (and females, disproportionately) shine in “Delco Idol” Round 2: http://www.examiner.com/jewish-culture-in-philadelphia/gallagher-herrara...
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