Tory Stolper won one of L.A.’s top musical theater competitions despite taking a two-year songbook hiatus.
"I came in and I had one or two audition songs, things that I had auditioned with to get into college programs or whatnot," Stopler, a 24-year-old USC graduate, tells Backstage. "Now, I have seven songs that fit me and I have performed them and I have worked out the kinks, at least somewhat, so it's been incredibly valuable to learn just by doing that."
Stopler beat out 19 other finalists in the competition Sunday on stage at Sterling's at The Federal. The finalists, ranging in age from 19 to 32, were vying for more than the talent competition’s grand prize.
Created by Michael Sterling and executive produced by Barbara Van Orden, the competition aims to prep young actors for the world of musical theater. "I feel a very strong need for young talent to perfect their craft, hone their craft," says Van Orden, a former singer who performed with the likes of Frank Sinatra. When Van Orden was building her career, venues like Playboy Clubs gave her the opportunity to perform often and to work out her material in a way that's often not possible for today's young performers.
"There is really no place today where they can do it," she says. "They have to be camera ready."
The competition gives the performers a chance to work with a musical director, James Lent, to refine the songs that they will take with them to auditions. In the nine years that L.A.'s Next Great Stage Star has been running, they've turned out some noteable talent. Carrie St. Louis, a runner-up in 2012, went on to play Sherrie Christian in both the Las Vegas and Broadway productions of “Rock of Ages.” She is currently on tour as Glinda in “Wicked.”
Van Orden believes Stopler has even more potential. "When I looked at her, I had a feeling of Julie Andrews. I had a feeling of Anne Hathaway," says Van Orden. "Her presence on stage is very good," Van Orden continues, adding that Stolper had the keen ability to pick the songs that worked best for her.
As the winner, Stolper receives several prizes, including her own cabaret production at the North Hollywood venue. The competition began with weekly performances starting Jan. 5 before the curtain raised on the finale Feb. 8.
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