Students and faculty members didn’t disappoint, as they put on their fourth raucous, standing-room only Tolland Idol at Tolland High School. On the evening of December 2, a panel of three teachers – Scott Weldon, Ruth Leary and John Powell - served as judges as performers took to the stage with energetic, wonderfully-choreographed dancing and lip syncing routines performed to a variety of popular songs.
The laughter was unstoppable throughout the night, with hosts Colton Bridge and Matt Susca, whose entertainment style could rival the funniest of television’s late-night hosts. Performances were hysterically farcical or just plain mesmerizing for the obvious time and skill put into them. The Science Department’s Whip It routine had judges rolling in laughter, and Scott Finke and Zach LaSala’s “Saxy Saxperience” of Careless Whisper had the “ladies” whooping it up as layers of Finke’s shirts were torn away, one by one, revealing funny messages. Total Eclipse of the Heart was a show stealer, an absurdly overly-dramatic masterpiece, which drew some of the night’s loudest applause.
Commentary from the judges proved entertaining, as well, particularly when one slang-challenged judge tried out some teen lingo, calling one performance “sick,” then adding, “disgusting and nauseating.” This prompted audience laughter followed by some good-natured ribbing from the hosts.
This year, there were 16 acts, totaling approximately 85 students and staff members, all vying for honors in their categories – Solo, Duo, Group and Staff – and the chance to become Tolland Idol.
And the winners were… Solo: Dylan Roman (with Vail Madrak, Cassie Nerbonne, Colleen Roy, Sarah Slade, Jacey Trice and Alison Whitlock) for Aaron’s Party (Come and Get It) by Aaron Carter. Duo: David Derro and Kyle McNelly (with Emily Begue, Matt DellaCamera and Patrick McManaman) for Soul Man by the Blues Brothers. Group: Mariah Elliott, Maddy Frattaroli, Brenda Kittredge, Alexa Krause, Megan Lester and Kelsey Lewis for It’s Raining Men by the Weather Girls. Staff: Beth Regan and Mr. Szczesiul for I Need You Now by Lady Antebellum. Tolland Idol Overall Winner: Kristin Carr, Emily Howard, Katie Jacobs, Cristina Macklem, Dory Miller and Jess Olson for their Group performance of SexyBack by Justin Timberlake ft. Timbaland.
