By Robin Alberti
The Paramount Theatre was buzzing with excitement Saturday night, as eight teams, sponsored by local businesses and groups, took the stage to move their lips and hips, all for a great cause. The second annual Lip Sync Battle was an entertaining fundraising event for The Wonderfeet Kid’s Museum.
Anticipation was high when Rutland Fire Department’s Flaming Embers, last year’s Judges’ Award winner, took the stage in a jaw dropping gender-bender performance (listed as “may not be appropriate for children”). How could they possibly top last year’s winning performance? Well, when the curtain rose, roars from the crowd erupted, as the guys were back again in wigs and make-up, but this time as the band Kiss, complete with leather and hardware. The crowd sang along as the firemen performed a live version of the song “Rock and Roll All Night.” Judge Jay Kennedy commented, “For awhile there I forgot I wasn’t at a real Kiss concert.”
While they didn’t capture the judge’s prize this year, they did come away as the night’s Fan Favorite, voted by the audience via text.
This year’s Judges’ Award very deservingly went to RRMC’s Big Top Troupe, performing a songs from the major motion picture musical “The Greatest Showman,” a story about the origin of the modern day circus, starring Hugh Jackman as P.T. Barnum. Putting on what judge Jennifer Bagley called a “true spectacle,” the entire stage was filled with energy and lights, the ringmaster, and performers of all types in colorful costumes. Included were circus staples such as the bearded lady and strong man, tight ropewalkers, a very cute lion in a cage, and adding to the “spectacle,” even ha people in costume handing out popcorn to the audience!
The song “This Is Me” was also quite appropriate for the event, touching on issues of acceptance for all sorts of people, and a call to end bullying among our youth.
The eight teams performing were:
- City of Rutland Fire Department
- Alderman’s Chevrolet Buick GMC
- Green Mountain Power
- Rutland Regional Medical Center
- Relay For Life of Rutland County
- Rutland Rugby Club
- Rutland GE Aviation Employee Activities Association
- Regional Ambulance Service, Inc.
Regional Ambulance Service, Inc.
“At Wonderfeet, we strive to be a support and partner for children and families in our community by harnessing the power of play. Wonderfeet Lip Sync Battle is a wonderful way to let adults have an opportunity to play and at the same time help us continue to provide the services and support that the community needs,” said Kheya Ganguly, Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum executive director. The Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum is located just a few doors down from The Paramount Theatre in the heart of downtown Rutland.
All the performers stepped out of their comfort zone (although many seamed quite comfortable changing rolls and putting on fake boobs or beards), to take the stage, have fun, embarrass themselves a bit, and spread some joy and laughter, saying they would do “anything for the kids.”
Photos by Robin Alberti
Rutland Regional Medical Center’s Big Top Troupe won the Judge’s Award for their performance of songs from “The Greatest Showman.”
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