Burlingame Idol Kicks Off Its Third Season

About a dozen Burlingame Idol hopefuls and their families crowded the Burlingame Recreation Center on Tuesday night as the third year of Burlingame Idol auditions kicked off, and this season promises to present the stiffest competition yet. The annual singing competition, the brainchild of Cathy Foxhoven who contracts with the Burlingame Parks and Recreation Department, is expected to draw its largest crowd ever this year.

“I always get excited, but sometimes I wonder…did I create a monster?” said Foxhoven with a laugh. “We almost tripled our numbers last year from the first year…word gets around.”

Foxhoven is no stranger to Burlingame entertainment. She leads the Burlingame community theater group Acting Out & About, which recently completed an improv night at , and coordinates Artzfest and holiday tree lighting entertainment.

Inspired by the popular television show American Idol, Foxhoven got the idea for a Burlingame version after a variety show that took place at the Burlingame Centennial celebration in 2008.

“We were amazed by the amount of talent that was in Burlingame and the surrounding community,” she said. “We thought, this is fun…this is a chance to showcase local talent.”

Foxhoven will hear auditions each Tuesday from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. through May 3 at the Burlingame Recreation Center. While new people audition each week, Foxhoven said some might be asked back to sing a different song that better fits their age and showcases their capabilities. All singers are asked to return for the May 3 final audition.

After May 3, Foxhoven will eliminate all but three singers from each age category: 5 to 10 years old, 11 to 15 years old, 16 to 39 years old and 40 and over. Each step of the auditions typically draws a large crowd.

“Anybody can come and see them,” Foxhoven said. “A lot of people are curious.”

This year’s competition, at least in the 11 to 15 age group, has been cranked up a notch by the presence of Maya Donato.  Donato recently played the title role in Broadway By the Bay’s Annie and captured the lead in the SF Playhouse’s Coraline.

“Maya’s got a great voice and she’s got a great stage presence,” said Foxhoven. “[However], it’s amazing who shows up and where the talent is coming from.”

The finalists polish their performances before the final show down June 5 at where one singer from each category will be crowned Burlingame Idol.