posted by John Borst

Rarely have I been moved by a television program as I was by the CBC’s production of “Triple Sensation”.

The production was no embarrassing Canadian or American Idol. No one was ridiculed. Everyone was there because they had talent.

The premise was to discover a talented young Canadian who had the best triple talent of singer, dancer and actor as is needed for a stage musical.

Auditions were held and shows were centred for the West, in Vancouver; for Ontario in Toronto and for the East in Montreal. For each location 40 young aspiring talents were chosen to perform in all three disciplines. Out of each location only four competitors were chosen to proceed to “Master Class”. (see videos Vancouver auditions/verdict; Toronto auditions/verdict and Montreal auditions/verdict)

These 12 performers ranged in age from 16 to 24 and were brought together at the National Ballet School in Toronto. After one month of intense training during which time they were continuously being judged two more were eliminated. (see video “Master Class)

At the next stage the 10 were reduced to 6 (see video “The Finalists”)

The show premiered on October 7 and the season finale occurred on October 21. Unfortunately due to travel I missed the final evening of competition before a live audience, so I searched the CBC website to discover the winner.

The winner received the Chapters/Indigo Award of a $150,000 performing arts scholarship.

The judges were Adrian Noble, former artistic director of England’s Royal Shakespeare Company; Cynthia Dale, leading lady of Canada’s renowned Stratford Festival; Sergio Trujillo, the acclaimed Canadian choreographer of Jersey Boys; Marvin Hamlisch, the internationally recognized multi-award-winning composer; and the show’s creator and executive producer, multiple Tony Award-winning Canadian theatrical impresario Garth Drabinsky. It was hosted by CBC Radio personality Andrew Craig.

The main site with 33 clips can be accessed at http://www.triplesensation.ca/

The first video to appear is “The Results”. It also acts as a home to access the list of videos.

At the bottom there are 5 more video links each with multiple parts:

• Gotta Act – six;
• Gotta Sing – six;
• Gotta Dance – three;
• Legends of Broadway – three (famous visitors);
• Host and Panel – three.

If you missed the program view the video-clips referenced above and get to know just how talented are today’s young people and discover in the process what quality TV, part entertainment, part docudrama can be like. And in the process discover why the CBC is a much needed cultural gem within Canada.

Results:

CANADA’S FIRST TRIPLE SENSATION!

John-Michael Scapin -age 17of Newmarket, Ontario– see articles on John-Michael here ; here;

FIRST RUNNER UP – Anwyn Musico- age 20 of Ingersoll, Ontario – $50,000 scholarship

SECOND RUNNER UP – Keely Hutton – age 24 of St. John’s Newfoundland – $25,000 scholarship

JUDGES CHOICE AWARDS

Jonathan Tan – Acting, from Mississauga, Ontario – $10,000 scholarship

Laura McCarthy – Singing, from Milly Bay, British Columbia – $10,000 scholarship

Alison Jantzie – Dancing, from Lacombe, Alberta – $10,000 scholarship

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