Cue announcer: “This … is ‘Mohigan Idol.’”
OK, so Ryan Seacrest won’t be on the stage of the Metropolitan Theatre next month to emcee, but the Hollywood-styled glamour and glitz of the Morgantown-hosted talent show for a good cause will still ensue, organizers say.
“It’s always exciting to see the kids up there,” Gretchen Gibson said, “and I’m glad we’ll be able to be back at the Met.”
Gibson is an MHS teacher who also advises student council at the red-bricked school on Wilson Avenue.
More than a decade ago, the then-council had an idea playing off the popularity of “American Idol,” on network TV.
“Why not do an MHS version?” the young policymakers asked. “We’ll call it, ‘Mohigan Idol.’ We can raise money for the hospital.”
As in, WVU Medicine Children’s.
“It’s pretty amazing,” Gibson said. “We went from a couple of acts in our auditorium, to all this.”
As in, a countywide revue featuring the talents of Monongalia County students from all grades, all carried out under the lights at the storied stage on High Street.
Well, check that.
The pandemic scrapped the fundraiser altogether in 2020, and the school hosted a virtual version last year that still managed to bring in around $10,000 for the medical facility in Evansdale.
Contributions for shows at the Met usually average around $25,000, Gibson said, and over the years that adds up, the math teacher happily reports.
“It’s raised $130,000 for the hospital so far,” she said. “We think that’s special.”
WVU Medicine Children’s, is special, too, she said.
Young patients from all 55 counties in West Virginia undergo specialized treatment there.
They go there from surrounding states and across oceans to get well.
The hospital is also known for its specialized neonatal care. Its physicians regularly receive national and international accolades for their work and research.
Construction is expected to be complete this year on a new, free-standing hospital to hone even more its mission of keeping children healthy — during pandemic days and every day.
With all that, as Gibson said, there’s also the fun and thrill of “Mohigan Idol.” Showtime is 7 p.m. March 5 at the Met.
Make that, the multifaceted “Mohigan Idol,” she said.
String quartets. Metal bands.
Tap-dancers and those who sway to ballet or interpretive jazz.
Solo vocalists belting it out to backing tracks, to the Great American songbook, to Memphis blues.
Students have to nail an audition to get on the bill.
Feb. 11 is the last day students may submit their auditions via a specially created, private YouTube account.
Instructions and all the other technical particulars may be found on the Monongalia County Schools webpage at https://boe.mono.k12.wv.us/. Just scroll down and click on the “Mohigan Idol” link.
And everyone else can get ready for a good show, Gibson said.
“Some of this talent is phenomenal.”
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