Hernando Has Talent finalists take the stage Saturday

SPRING HILL — While television talent shows such as American Idol and America's Got Talent are on hiatus during the summer months, there's a local version taking place this weekend in Spring Hill.

Although it won't be televised, folks can head over to Stage West Community Playhouse on Saturday evening to watch some of Hernando's finest talent compete in a new competition, Hernando Has Talent.

The contest will feature 15 finalists from auditions conducted this month.

"There were a lot of really talented performers, and a different variety of entertainment," said Stage West president Barbara Everest, who is helping out backstage with the show. "The good side is there are so many people (who auditioned) who have never been to our theater. And it's always good to see new talent."

The show will feature a variety of singers and dancers, and even a comedian, all competing to win cash prizes. The first-place winner will receive $500, second place $300 and third place $200.

Contestants include the Pine Chords Quartet, the POP Ensemble (a 12-member singing/dance group); dancers P.J. DiGaetano, Gabriella Marcic and Ashley Vonada; soloists Crystal Lawrence, Raney Nord, Christen Petruzelli, Jacob Rice, Matthew Romeo, Pete Rostel, Yvette Velez and Mika Wescomb; comedian Maurea Sleesman; and pianist/singer Lizz Voorhees.

Judges include Grammy-winning professional sound-mixing engineer Dan Hetzel, professional singer and voice coach Susan Falcone, Chief Mike Maurer of the Hernando County Sheriff's Office; and Stage West veterans Leanne Germann, Terri Marwood, Saul Leibner, Micki Mandel and Wayne Raymond. The master of ceremonies is Jim Hansen.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Stage West's scholarship fund. Everest said 50 percent of ticket sales from all shows at Stage West throughout the year go to the scholarship fund. This past year, five $1,000 scholarships were given to students who will further their education in the arts, as well as to a student who has helped at Stage West but won't be studying the arts.

Everest said proceeds from Hernando Has Talent will help provide a cushion for the scholarship fund, as the economic slump has affected the past season's ticket sales.

"(Hernando Has Talent) really is an added benefit," she said.

The show is a collaboration between the St. Petersburg Times/Hernando Times and Stage West, with sponsors including Flammer Ford, Senica Air Conditioning and Capital City Bank.

Linda Raab, marketing manager for the Hernando Times, said the purpose of the event is to show community support and raise funds for a good cause.

"We're always looking for another way to show our support of the community," Raab said.

She said the first contest has been well received and that it may become an annual event.

"Maybe in the future we'll see magicians, jugglers and other types of performers," she said.

Added Everest, "It is just going to be an amazing evening."