The Stardusters Put on a Show

By Marilyn Lester****Five of the singing waiters, the Stardusters, from Ellen’s Stardust Diner, descended the stairs to The Iridium on February 20th, and knocked the socks off an enthusiastic house (plus a huge audience viewing remotely). In The New Faces of 2018 Starduster Showcase, these young talents got a chance to show off their musical theatre schooling—the kind of training each hopes will lead to a career on the Great White Way—in their own special spotlight. This quintet of young folks are thrilling to watch, with the kind of boffo energy and blazing talent worthy of any Broadway stage. The two guys, Paul Victor and Zach Carter, plus three gals, Alexis Ebers, Marissa Miller and Megan Dwinell, all brought a massive quantity of ability and potential to the table. The ensemble’s opening and closing numbers, “Doors” from the Off-Broadway musical Closer Than Ever and Fleetwood Mac’s “Songbird” (written by Christine McVie), demonstrated strong vocal power, excellent harmony and stage presence. In individual numbers, each performer gave their respective songs their best shot, some hitting a bullseye and some pretty close to the mark.

Part of the art of a successful turn on the stage lies in being relaxed and having a “good time” with the number. In “I’ve Decided to Marry You” (Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder), Ebers, Miller and Carter, possessed that formula, turning the number into a fun romp with delightful enthusiasm and freshness. Moving away from comedy, Carter and Victor delivered a memorable and truly touching “The Proposal/The Night was Alive” (Titanic). In “Avalanche” from the developmental musical, Tales from the Bad Years, Dwinell went full bore, committing thoroughly to the intense lyric. Director and Co-host Lisa Asher, who kept the pace snappy and energetic, displayed her own considerable vocal chops (with Carter) on “Class” (Chicago). Musical choices were out of the box and fresh—well-suited to the abilities of the singers and aims for the show. Co-host Scott Barbarino and Scobar Entertainment curated the show with wisdom and an understanding of the specific talent. What the set list did especially well, was give the performers the opportunity to accept challenges, raising the bar on any possible comfort level that typical selections might provide. Music Director and pianist, Mark Hartman, played with yeoman artistry on the keys, also arranging for his young charges with pizzazz.

Final note to young aspiring singer-actors: please learn to modulate. Vocal dynamics, as opposed to the “loud is better” school of delivery, is important. Without an understanding of how to apply differing volume to the voice, the authenticity and meaning of the song and the all-important lyric, get thrown to the curb.