NEW YORK - Inside a packed rehearsal space a few floors above the huge stage at Radio City Music Hall, 13-year-old Alyssa Casson walked to a spot in front of a panel of judges and paused, preparing to sing.
How hard could this be? Following all, she had currently battled cancer. She had currently endured dozens of difficult medical procedures and years of doctor visits and also the loss of her hair. So she opened her mouth.
( MSG Photo Solutions, Avi Gerver / Related Press ) - In this March five, 2012 photo released by Madison Square Garden Photo Solutions, Alyssa Casson Beats By Dr Dre, 13, of Prospect, Conn., right, interacts with celebrity mentors Dr Dre Headphones, from left, Broadway performer Derrick Baskin, Rockettes dancer Danelle Morgan, Knicks City Dancer Latoya Brooks, professional singer Tony Vincent and Rockettes dancer Corinne Tighe in the Garden of Dreams Talent Show rehearsal at Radio City Music Hall in New York. The annual Garden of Dreams talent show gives children who have faced illness Beats Pro, homelessness, poverty or tragedy an chance to carry out in front of loved ones and buddies on the Radio City primary stage. This year's show will probably be held April 5 and admission is totally free.
What came out was a fairly wonderful version of Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful." When she was finished, it was time for the judges to weigh in. It was time for them to gulp back strong emotions.
"I thought it was just incredible and it really touched me," stated a clearly moved Derrick Baskin, a Broadway actor whose credits include "The Small Mermaid Monster Headphones," ??'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and who is currently in "Memphis."
"One thing I'd function, though, is right prior to the song starts, to just take a big breath and plant your feet. When you are onstage, there's no one more essential than you. OK? They're right here to see you. And you are able to deliver Monster Beats, obviously."
"Thank you," stated Alyssa, beaming.
Alyssa is one of 20 acts picked from hundreds for the annual Garden of Dreams talent show, which provides children who've faced illness, homelessness, poverty or tragedy an opportunity to perform in front of family and buddies on the Radio City main stage. This year's show will probably be held April 5 and admission is totally free.
A panel of celebrity mentors was assembled to coach the budding singers, magicians, rappers, dancers and musicians. In addition to Baskin, the panel included Justin Johnston of "Rent," Christina Sajous of "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark," Tony Vincent of "American Idiot" and TV's "The Voice" and three professional dancers - Danelle Morgan and Corinne Tighe, both Rockettes, and LaToya Brooks, a Knicks City Dancer.
For an afternoon earlier this month, the young performers and their parents tried to hide their fears - and also the judges tried to hide their emotions - as talented young people who have survived trauma stepped up to be critiqued.
The acts ranged from Sean Burke, a 14-year-old magician in a tux from Midland Park, N.J., who made rods disappear and reappear from beneath a handkerchief, to Corey Robinson, a 17-year-old rapper from New York, who boasted that he would "hit it really big and begin acting Hollywood." 1 performer - Alicia Fournier, 13, of Scarborough, Maine, seems destined for Broadway: From a bit frame came a confident and powerful song from "Thoroughly Modern Millie" that drew a huge applause.
One from the youngest performers was 10-year-old pianist Elizabeth Burns, who performed Beethoven's "Fur Elise." Elizabeth, from Toms River, N.J., only began playing piano 3 years ago and said she picked the Beethoven song simply because it is her favorite classical piece. She was nominated by the Make-A-Wish Foundation after surviving two kidney transplants along with a liver transplant.
What was her wish? "I wished that I could take my mom and dad on a great vacation," she said, her mother beaming beside her. To exactly where? "From New Jersey to Paris."
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