NYS 50+ Senior Idol competition has Long Island contenders
The basement auditorium of the Massapequa Public Library’s Bar Harbor Building may not be Radio City Music Hall or the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, but it sure felt like it to the contestants with dreams of being the AARP set’s answer to “American Idol” champs Kelly Clarkson or Phillip Phillips.
On a recent Saturday, contestants — all 50 or older — tried out for the NYS 50+ Senior Idol competition. In a period spanning several weeks, 68 contenders demonstrated their singing, dancing or comedy talents in front of an audience and a panel of four judges from the Ms. NY Senior America pageant. The culmination will be a Nov. 12 show in Huntington High School’s auditorium featuring 20 finalists who will compete for a top prize of $1,000. Two runners-up will get trophies.
The event, which was held from 2005 to 2008, is back after a flood of inquiries over the past year, said Frank Trotta, publisher of 50 Plus Lifestyles magazine, which co-sponsors the event with the Ms. NY Senior America pageant. He is also a co-producer with Marleen Schuss, state administrator of Ms. NY Senior America.
“This is the best volunteer job I’ve ever had,” Schuss said. “Contestants have been so appreciative of having this kind of event for seniors.”
Trotta, a former mayor of Bellport who also served as director of the Suffolk County Office for the Aging, said Senior Idol is the culmination of his life’s work.
“It is an opportunity to do something personal for themselves after doing for others throughout their life,” he said. “The individuals that usually audition are givers who have raised families, worked hard to make a living, volunteered in their community, shared their talents with friends or in a social setting, and now it’s their turn to shine.”
Meet some of the contestants who — spoiler alert — are now finalists:
Theresa Farrell, with her husban Sean, during auditions for the final round of Senior Idol, an "America's Got Talent" spinoff for senior citizens, at the Massapequa Library, Oct. 7, 2017. Credit: Johnny Milano
NY 50+ Senior Idol
WHEN | WHERE 2 p.m. Nov. 12, Huntington High School, 188 Oakwood Rd., Huntington
INFO $25; 516-527-3372, 631-286-0058, ext. 112
LEE ANN BRILL: 2006 NYS 50+ Senior Idol
Lee Ann Brill has won several competitions over the past 20 years showing off her vocal talents, but she said her proudest victory was at the 2006 NYS 50+ Senior Idol.
Brill, 62, of Lake Ronkonkoma, sang “Over the Rainbow” at the audition and it was her golden ticket to the finals. Melissa Manchester’s “Come In From the Rain” propelled her over the 20 finalists.
“It’s a great platform for seniors,” Brill said. “ ‘American Idol’ has serious age limits.”
After her win, she was invited to clubs around Long Island and also sang at charity functions.
Although her day job is as a contracts administrator at Stony Brook University, Brill — who majored in musical theater in college — keeps quite busy with her music. She started the band NY Groove and worked weddings for many years in the tristate area.
Brill had previously auditioned for “Star Search” and tried out for “America’s Got Talent” in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2012, 2013 and 2015. She said she will audition again on Dec. 17.
She also has won the Eisenhower Park “Reach for the Stars” singing competition in 2003, and the Town of Brookhaven’s talent competition in 2006.
“I love to compete, and the Senior Idol win for me was important because it’s for people in my age group, and they are all a lot of fun to be around,” she said.
— Ron Marge
