QSAC, Inc.

JudgeS/HOSTS

GRAND FINALE

Martha Wash (Special Performance) As part of the Weather Girls, Martha scored a Grammy Nomination for a song that was destined to become a cult classic. Yes, “It’s Raining Men” – the original version that confirmed it was time to leave your umbrellas at home, rip off the roof and stay in bed. Martha continued to sing with the Weather Girls until the late 80’s when she felt it was time to move on to the next tenure of her career. Into the early 90’s, Martha became one of the most sought after session singers and soon found herself recording for numerous acts - Seduction and C+C Music Factory to name a few. From “You’re My One and Only (True Love)” to “Everybody Dance Now”, Martha was all over radio airwaves and had club-goers moving to her distinct vocal styling.

John Tartaglia (Host)
John’s brand new Off-Broadway show Imaginocean will premiere at New World Stages on March 17, 2010. He is also executive producer and star of Disney Channel's "Johnny and the Sprites." Tartaglia earned a Tony Award nomination for his performance in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, Avenue Q, for which he originated the roles of Princeton and Rod. Tartaglia was most recently seen on Broadway as Pinocchio in Shrek and before that he starred as Lumiere in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. A 10-year veteran of "Sesame Street," Tartaglia is one of the youngest puppeteers ever to perform on the show, starting at the age of 16.

Leslie Jordan (Judge) - Emmy Award-Winning Actor
Leslie’s book My Trip Down the Pink Carpet for Simon and Schuster is currently in bookstores. Material from the book formed the basis of a 90-minute one-man show, which makes its Off-Broadway Debut this Spring, and had a successful 45 city book-signing/performance tour in 2008. Leslie is the 2006 Emmy Award Winner for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his delicious portrayal of “Beverley Leslie” on “Will and Grace.” Television audiences will also know him for his recurring roles on “Ugly Betty,” “Boston Legal,” and “Reba.” Feature film audiences will recognize Leslie from his performance as “Brother Boy” in Del Shores’ adaptation of his play “Sordid Lives’” with Olivia Newton-John, Delta Burke and Beau Bridges. He reprised the role in the television series based on the play and film. Mr. Jordan has enjoyed considerable success as a writer. http://www.mytripdownthepinkcarpet.com

Dr. Ruth Westheimer (Judge) - Cultural Icon and Sex Therapist
Advocating sex education, Dr. Ruth started Sexually Speaking on the radio in 1980. Her bubbly personality, thick accent and frank advice about sex made her a celebrity. While continuing her private practice, Dr. Ruth has dispensed advice on TV, in newspaper columns and in books. Dr. Ruth was born in Germany, spent World War II in Switzerland (separated from her parents and grandparents) and at the age of 16 immigrated to Israel. In the 1950s she lived and studied in Paris, and in 1956 she moved to New York City, where she eventually got her PhD in Education. www.drruth.com

Rachel Hoffman, CSA (Judge) - Telsey & Co.
Rachel Hoffman is a Casting Director with Bernard Telsey + Company casting, the premier theatre and film casting company in New York. The agency’s many Broadway casting credits include Rent, Hairspray, In the Heights, South Pacific and Wicked; last season's Equus, Next to Normal, Reasons to Be Pretty, Rock of Ages and 9 to 5; and the forthcoming Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark; Catch Me If You Can; and The Addams Family.

QuarterFINALS

March 29th

Host: Jason B. Schmidt – Performer, The Parodivas

Judges:
Larry Burnett – President, NewFest; Founder, AOL Music
Bruce Robert Harris – Producer, Gayfest NYC, My Trip Down the Pink Carpet
Britney Houston – YouTube Sensation

April 5th

Host: Walton Nunez – Actor, Sex and the City 2

Judges:
James Blueweiss – Owner, CBGB NYC/Las Vegas
Tony Speciale – Associate Artistic Director, Classic Stage Company
James Washington – Music Manager, Martha Wash, Frankie Galasso, etc.

April 26th

Host: Tom D’Angora – Producer, Newsical the Musical

Judges:
Terri Klausner – Actress, Evita; Teacher, Coupe Theatre Studio
Thomas Morissey – Producing Artistic Director, ReVision Theatre
Brian J. Nash – Musical Director, w/Ellen Greene, Kathy Brier & Kate Pazakis

EVENT PARTNERS