Final four picked in last round of Superstar
By TERESA SANTOSKI Staff Writer
Contestants gave it their all at the fourth and final preliminary round of Encore Superstar, held at the Pasta Loft in Milford. With 29 solo performers and one duet competing for the four remaining places in the final, the judges were hard-pressed to narrow it down.
The evening was replete with strong performances, including a powerful rendition of Susan Tedeschi’s “It Hurt So Bad” by local favorite Lori Gilcreast, of Nashua. The song was an excellent fit for Gilcreast, who delivered it with just the right blend of raspy sweetness and bluesy longing.
Gilcreast maintained a great rapport with the audience throughout her performance, a challenging task even for professionals. Audience members were too impressed to hold their applause, clapping and cheering throughout the song.
Another standout was the second duet of the entire competition, Christina Aguilera’s “Ain’t No Other Man,” performed by Hanifa Nelson and Angie Michaud, both of Gardner, Mass.
The duo had a lively yet effortless stage dynamic, bantering back and forth as they slid easily between solo segments and singing together. Both powerful belters, Nelson and Michaud’s voices complemented each other nicely, making for seamless unison and solid harmonies.
After intense deliberation, the judges chose their three finalists, a decision made all the harder due to the fact that this was the last preliminary and there would be no more opportunities for singers to try again another week.
Michelle Jensen, of Dover, was selected for her rendition of “Mercy” by Duffy. Her bluesy voice had a touch of sandpaper in it, adding a sultry dimension to the song. Also impressive was her control, as she delivered some notes with greater power than others for a varied and emotionally expressive performance.
Joining Jensen in the finals are Cookie DiBiase, of Nashua, and Conrad Koch, of Milford. DiBiase sang “Stronger than Me” by Amy Winehouse, winning over judges and audience alike with a confident, pitch-perfect performance that culminated in some great scatting.
Koch gave an impassioned performance of “Bring Him Home” from the musical “Les Miserables,” for a few moments transforming the Pasta Loft into the stage of a professional theater. His operatic voice soared through the song’s many sustained notes, conveying the emotion of the piece through his judicious use of vibrato.
Also moving on to the final is Alicia Vigeant, of Hudson, who was selected as this round’s Fan Favorite for her rendition of “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt. Her clear, pure tones fit the song beautifully, lending a pleasingly plaintive quality to Raitt’s ballad.
Now that all of the finalists have been selected, contestants have about two weeks to prepare for the final event, which will be held Friday, March 30, at the Bounty Room at the Holiday Inn in Nashua.
Though there will be 16 soloists and one duet competing, in the end, there can only be one Encore Superstar.
Teresa Santoski can be reached at 594-6466 or tsantoski@nashuatelegraph.com.
Sarah Baker sings Piece of My Heart by Janis Joplin during Encore Superstar’s stop at The Pasta Loft in Milford, Tuesday night.
IF YOU GO
Encore Superstar final event
WHEN: Friday, March 30. Doors open at 6 p.m.
WHERE: The Bounty Room, Holiday Inn, 9 Northeastern Blvd., Nashua.
COST: Tickets are $5 and will be sold at the door.
MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.telegraphevents.com or call Kimberly Lencki at 594-6471. All events are for age 21 and older. Valid ID required.
03-11-12
AHEAD today! 
Upon further review… (old emails)
March 9th & 10th, 2012.
Thanks Conrad Koch!
lmao!
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