SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. — Thirteen singers brought skill and enthusiasm to the Contemporary Theater Company stage last Thursday night, wrapping up the preliminary rounds of Wakefield Idol’s 12th season. The American Idol-style singing competition, which has become a beloved community event, allows local singers of all ages compete for a grand prize of $1,200.
Performers brought eclectic musical tastes, with selections ranging from pop to reggae to Broadway, some traveling from beyond Rhode Island to share their stories and styles.
Judges Rachel Hanauer, a professional soprano, and Paula Glen, the Contemporary Theater’s artistic director, offered each performer constructive feedback that balanced praise with helpful suggestions.
Maggie Cady, the Contemporary Theater’s general manager, emceed, and Collin Van Pelt spun the contestants’ tracks.
The competition drew both seasoned performers and enthusiastic amateurs. Delilah Wheland of Westerly brought professional singing experience to her performance of Elle King’s “Ex’s and Oh’s.”
“I sing professionally, so I like to do these [competitions]. They’re just fun. Karaoke singing like this — it keeps your chops up,” said Wheland, who discovered Wakefield Idol after recently moving back to Rhode Island.
Wheland, whose influences range from Janis Joplin to jazz, performs “anything from Adele to Zeppelin” and hopes to form a new band with a female guitarist who also sings.
Wheland‘s performance earned her a spot in the second round.
For some contestants, Thursday’s performance marked a second chance. Tyler Keener of Coventry returned after competing in an earlier preliminary round three weeks ago, determined to make it through with Maroon 5’s “She Will Be Loved.”
“I did it three weeks ago and got shut down, so I’m just going to try it again,” Keener said before taking the stage. The singer, who has participated in chorus since second grade and acapella in college, had just returned from an 11-day cruise. He said the cruise helped him reset after his earlier elimination.
Raymond Tellier, also of Coventry, earned a second chance with Woodkid’s “Guns for Hire” from the Netflix animated series “Arcane: League of Legends.” The judges appreciated the song’s cinematic quality, stating that his performance transported the audience into a James Bond film.
Both singers impressed the judges and earned spots in the second round.
Tommie Pietsch, who placed fifth in last season’s competition, brought musicality and pizazz back to the Wakefield Idol stage. The Providence resident, originally from Anchorage, Alaska, performed “For The Gaze” from the musical “Death Becomes Her.”
“Last year I competed. I placed fifth, and it was such a great experience,” Pietsch said. “This company is so welcoming, and the audiences are so welcoming. I met some really great people and made great connections, and I had to come back and do it again.”