Judge Celeste Nadeau Baranyl, center, gives Kerri Haer an 8 in the Maine’s Got Talent competition at the Franco Center in Lewiston on Saturday. The other judges are Tom Doucette, left, and Joseph Philippon.
LEWISTON — The performance hall at the Dolard and Priscilla Gendron Franco Center was filled with a large crowd and powerful music Saturday night at the 7th Annual Maine’s Got Talent.
Ten acts performed for the chance to take home cash prizes: $750 for first place, $500 for second and $250 for third.
Each act was judged on a score of 1-10 by the three celebrity judges: Lewiston Police Officer Joe Philippon, WBLM morning snow host Celeste and former contestant and local musician Tom Doucette.
Once all of the acts had performed, the crowd was able to cheer for their favorites to help their scores and chances of winning.
Molly McGill, a senior writer at The Brand Collective, once again took on the job of emcee for the evening.
She described the competition as “an amalgamation of ‘America’s Got Talent’ and ‘American Idol’ with performances from jazz to opera to musical theater.”
The Remedy, a folk band of Bates College students, performed “Roll Away Your Stone” by Mumford and Sons and took home first place.
They said they’d been playing together for a while and that they’ve played a few gigs around town, but this was by far their biggest crowd.
“You complement each other very well,” judge Tom Doucette said. “There was energy on stage, but you were well-polished.”
They received two 10s and a 9 on a scale of 1 to 10 and received the loudest audience applause at the end of the show.
Kay Warren took home second place with her performance of “Colored Women” from the musical “Memphis.” The judges all gave her 10s.
“I would buy your record in a minute,” Celeste said. “If I could give you more than a 10, I would.”
Madeline Fitzgerald took home third place for her emotional performance of “I Dreamed a Dream” from “Les Miserables.” She received a 10 from each judge, and McGill said it left her with shivers.
“I loved everything about that. When you hit the high notes your voice raced across the top of this church,” Celeste said.
Maine’s Got Talent is an annual fundraiser for Sandcastle Clinical & Educational Services, which is a nonprofit early childhood education center in Lewiston.
Jeanette Villanueva performed a solo act during the 7th Annual Maine’s Got Talent at the Franco Center in Lewiston on Saturday. (Lauren Tardif photo)
Kerri Haer sings her heart out with her rockin’ band during the Maine’s Got Talent competition at the Franco Center in Lewiston on Saturday. Also pictured are Margot Frost, left, and Earl Bigelow.
7th Annual Maine’s Got Talent competitors
• Kerri Haer – “I’m the Only One” by Melissa Etheridge – score 9/9/8
• Heidi Bernier – “One and Only” by Adele – 7/7/6
• Jeanette Villanueva – original song “Eat Love Lution” – 7/7/7
• Kristin Percy – “Apres un Reve” a French opera song – 9/8/9
• Madeline Fitzgerald – “I Dreamed a Dream” from “Les Miserables” – 10/10/10 (3rd place)
• Repercussions – “Morning Papers” by Prince – 8/7/9
• Cameron Ramick and Jordan Payne Hay – “Follow Your Heart” from Urinetown: the Musical – 8/7/7
• Nikkita Drake – “Warrior” by Demi Lovato – 7/6/9
• The Remedy – “Roll Away Your Stone” by Mumford and Sons – 9/10/10 (1st place)
• Kay Warren – “Colored Women” from the musical “Memphis” – 10/10/10 (2nd place)
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