Submitted by Mount Baker Theatre
There are those with performing art prowess that train for years, hone their craft, shine like diamonds on stage . . . but for one reason or another just never get their big break. Dreams of stardom can be dashed by not getting past that first audition, agents not delivering the right role at the right time, or a whole host of variables like geography or funds being “off.” The talented folks for whom the stars did align, in the traditional manner, continue to perform at the local and regional level (like in one of the 400 events a year at Mount Baker Theatre).
But in our age of prolific video access, there are many new and different ways to get in front of a crowd. Some of these folks completely side step the rigmarole of going between agents and instead shine bright in the spotlight of their own accord. Since audiences now have instant access to voting by text and more performances of favorites online, they create the celebrities! Nowhere are these new shining stars more present than on televised talent shows—shows where individuals compete to become household names, and in doing so, appear on our radar when we book shows. See the acts that millions of fans have voted for this upcoming season at the Mount Baker Theatre!
The Jive Aces, the UK’s foremost jive and swing band, are no strangers to accepting awards. In 2011, the group sprang on the scene with a viral video cover of “Bring Me Sunshine,” which went on to earn a Silver Telly Award and win big at film festivals. Just months later, the Aces auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent, becoming the first ever live band to get through to the semi-finals—and even notoriously picky Simon Cowell has remarked that the group is “absolutely brilliant.” One of the brightest jewels in the crown of this band came after a glittering performance for Her Majesty the Queen herself, celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Speaking of royalty, Gary Mullen has been chosen by fans as the reigning king of tribute rock. When his wife and mother secretly submitted him to Britain’s hit TV show Stars in Their Eyes in 2000, Mullen began stunning on-stage tributes as Freddie Mercury. The television talent show, which regularly garners millions of viewers, saw an all-time record number of votes for Mullen when he won the overall Live Grand Final. He later went on to represent the UK on Euro Stars in Their Eyes and jumped from television screens to the stage with a crew of Queen-loving rockers. This team of musicians will be returning to the Mount Baker Theatre stage after sweeping through here in 2011—back by popular demand in One Night of Queen!
These award shows aren’t just a boys’ club through—the Ladies of Laughter, some of the wittiest women around, are performing their prize-winning punchlines at the Mount Baker Theatre this spring. After scouring the country for comedy queens, the Ladies of Laughter competition found three winners in psychologist Stephanie Blum, Comedy Central gem Dana Eagle, and the National Professional Grand Champion Alycia Cooper. This show, promoting women in the traditionally male domain of stand-up comedy, will make fans of everyone in the audience.
Of course, there are more traditional accolades in our programming: Vince Gill, 20-time Grammy winner and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, will have your toes tapping as he brings Nashville to the Northwest with The Time Jumpers. The Jazz at Lincoln Center is equally decorated—band leader Wynton Marsalis, the only person to receive Grammy Awards for both jazz and classical records, has earned the Pulitzer Prize for music, honorary degrees from just about every Ivy League, and has earned 9 Grammys…so far!
Who is your favorite MBT Journeys act of the season? Let’s have our own award. Go to our Facebook page and vote.
