In the final of RTÉ's "Fame the Musical", in association with SPAR, Jessica Cervi from East Wall, Dublin and Ben Morris from Tallaght, Dublin sang their way to victory and clinched the male and female lead roles in the nationwide tour of Fame the Musical.
In the nail-biting and emotionally-charged live show at the Helix, 19-year-old Jessica and 23-year-old Ben won the nations' hearts and votes as they beat off stiff competition from the runners up, Sean Carey from Dunshaughlin in Co Meath and Sarah O'Connor from Lucan in Dublin.
Jessica said: 'I want to thank everyone who believed in me. Everyone in East Wall and every single person who voted for me.'
Ben said: 'I love you all, you're amazing.'
Judge Robert C Kelly said: 'I'm delighted, I can't wait to get started. It's going to be the most amazing show.' Original Fame TV Star Erica Gimpel said: 'I'm really happy for you both. You blew us out of the water tonight. I can't wait to see you in the musical.' Actor Simon Delaney said: 'I had the pleasure of directing Ben when he was around 14. Even then I could tell he was going to be a star.' Jacinta Whyte said: 'Both of you are going to be sensational. Fame the Musical is going to be such a sizzler.'
In a dazzling finale, featuring duets with West End star Susan McFadden and Noel Sullivan from Hear'Say, and an ensemble number reuniting the 12 performers from the live show, finalists were invited to choose their favourite song from the live shows and Jessica sang At Last by Etta James. She also performed a duet of You're The One That I Want from Grease, with Noel Sullivan.
Following Jessica's performance, Erica said: 'My dear, you sang from your heart. You are an incredible talent and a testament to what is possible when we give opportunities.' Jacinta said: 'You're a very special talent. You're got vocal power, charisma and a twinkle in your eye. That was a stunning performance.' Robert said: 'You're a huge talent. When you sing you can really sing. That was fantastic.' Simon said: 'You've got soul. It makes me proud to be a Northsider!'
Ben chose to perform Cry Me A River. He also performed 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight' from The Lion King with Susan McFadden. Simon said: 'We watched you with Susan, standing beside a bone fide West End performer, and it's something you can get used to.' Robert said: 'I cannot believe you were ever in the bottom two. That was totally and utterly fantastic.' Jacinta Whyte said: 'You have been my leading man for a long time. You reduced me to tears there. You topped everything you've ever done.' Erica said: 'I'm so proud of you. You have become a master of your instrument!' causing the audience in The Helix to erupt in laughter.
For Ben and Jessica, it is a dream opportunity, launching their careers in musical theatre.
Jessica has been involved in musical theatre since the age of 10 and has appeared in a number of professional productions including High School Musical, Annie at The Olympia and Cork Opera House and pantos; Cinders, Jack and the Beanstalk, Aladdin and Robin Hood in The Olympia. Jessica got her first professional job when she was 15 in panto in The Olympia. Jessica currently studies dance in The College of Dance in Monkstown.
Ben moved to London to study musical theatre in London and began working professionally straight away after graduating. Ben first appeared in the 2007/2008 production of Fiddler on the Roof at the Savoy Theatre in the London's West End as an understudy. Ben has performed in a number of other professional shows in London and Dublin including Jack and the Beanstalk at Cork Opera House, Cinderella at The Gaiety in Dublin and the Irish tour of Oh What a Lovely War. Having moved back from London last year, Ben says he prefers to live in Ireland.
On the Show Finale, all 12 performers from the live shows were reunited to sing an ensemble number, Don't Stop Believing. Drew, Conleth, Hollie, Michael, Philomena, Caoimhe, Roisin and Stuart were back on stage with the Fame house band and the show's full troupe of dancers, to lend their support to the finalists.
Willie O'Byrne, Managing Director, BWG Foods, said: "As a community based retail group, SPAR Ireland is very pleased to have had the opportunity to partner with FAME, a programme which gave talented young people all over Ireland the chance to fulfil their dreams"
The stage tour of Fame the Musical, featuring Ben and Jessica as Nick and Serena, kicks off at The Grand Canal theatre on 20 August and will tour nationwide. See www.rte.ie/fame for tickets and information.
Fame The Musical is sponsored by SPAR.
Dublin, 19 May 2010
SPAR laid down the “SPARTAN Challenge” to the nation today as it aims to encourage athletes of all abilities to take part in the four events with which it is an associate sponsor – the three 2010 Adidas Race Series in the Phoenix Park and the Adidas Lifestyle Sports Dublin City Marathon.
Applications to take part in the SPARTAN Challenge are being sought from walkers, joggers and runners of all abilities from which a team of FOUR Spartans will be selected by fitness guru, Karl Henry (Operation Transformation) and nutrition expert, Paula Mee (Health Squad) who are spearheading the campaign. Those who want to join the SPARTAN team can apply online via the website www.spartanchallenge.ie or on Facebook along with the reason why they think they should make the team, to take on the challenge.
Once the SPARTAN team has been selected, the team will receive a tailor made fitness programme from Karl Henry, a personalised nutrition programme from Paula Mee as well as a full Adidas running kit from Lifestyle Sports and a Garmin Forerunner 405 from Wheelworx.
The selected team in training will blog regularly on the SPARTAN website. The website will also include motivational, fitness and nutrition videos from the expert panel and will be updated weekly with new content so that anyone can follow the programme, even if they are unsuccessful in the selection process.
Commenting on the launch of the SPARTAN Challenge, Willie O’Byrne, Managing Director, BWG Foods said:
“We have great heritage of supporting athletics through our sponsorships in Ireland and across Europe. Our aim is to bring that to life for as many people as possible by getting them involved regardless of their athletic ability. This new initiative does exactly that and we look forward to people taking up the SPARTAN Challenge over the summer months and right up to the Dublin City Marathon whether as part of the SPARTAN team or just following the expert fitness and nutrition programmes online.”
The registration and voting site is now live at www.spartanchallenge.ie . Once the team of four has been selected the website will host all the tips, videos and content from the experts which will stay live until the Marathon takes place in October.
In addition to all the SPARTAN Challenge activity programmed for the coming months, SPAR is also encouraging those that take part to participate for the benefit of their Charity of the Year, The 3 T’s – Turning the Tide of Suicide. Donations to the charity can be made through the site and via text messaging.
Sunday, April 18th, 2010
Martin Fagan of Mullingar Harriers yesterday led home a mammoth entry of over 11,000 runners to win the SPAR Great Ireland Run -the annual 10 kilometers road race in the Dublin’s Phoenix Park which this year incorporated the 10k Championships of Ireland.
This was the first Irish victory in the men’s race at this hugely popular event and Fagan coasted to a comfortable victory in 29 minutes 15 seconds- eighteen seconds clear a battling Gary Thornton of Galway City Harriers who was race leader for the for half of the event. Andrew Ledwith of Fr Murphy’s A.C placed third in 29.45 with Joe Sweeney of DSD holding down forth position in 29.51 ahead of Alan O’Shea of Bantry, 30.31 and Paddy Hamilton, (Annadale),30.41.
“I am delighted to have finally won this event,” Martin Fagan said. “It took me three days of traveling from my training base in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA, to get to Dublin and I felt a bit tired early on. However, when I took the lead around half way I picked it up a bit and I am pretty satisfied with my run.”
Fagan will now stay in Ireland for a number of weeks and he is hoping to race in the Great Einburgh Run in a fortnight’s time as well as a number of other high profile British events.The Mullingar man also has plans to compete in the European Track & Field Championships in Barcelona this Summer.
Gary Thornton was also well pleased with his second place finish which also earned him the silver medal in the national championship. “I gave it a good effort at the front early on and I am happy that I held on well for second place,” Thornton said.
Third place finisher, Andrew Ledwith, had also made a long journey from his training base in Oregon to make it to the start line in Dublin. “I experienced a bad stitch during the race and that slowed me a bit,” Ledwith said.
Scotland’s Freye Murray was a clear winner of the women’s race in 32.28. Murray, who finished 9th in the women’s race in the SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Santry last December, broke clear of Britain’s Jo Pavey after half-way and strode confidently to victory. Benita Willis of Australia placed third in 34.24.
National Cross Country Champion Linda Byrne of Dundrum South Dublin A.C led the Irish challenge in fourth place in 34.50. The DSD runner took the national title ahead of Claire McCarthy (St Fionbarr’s A.C), 35.20 and Barbara Sanchez , (Raheny Shamrock A.C), 35.41.
“I am delighted to have won the national road title for 10km, “Linda Byrne said. I have been enjoying road racing over the past several months and this is a nice title to add to the cross country one that I won last month.”
The SPAR Junior Great Ireland Run was also well supported with David Harper taking the boy’s event in 9:16 from Eoin Taggart and Samuel Allen. The girl’s race was won by Ciara Hewson in 10:16 from Alanna lally, 10:36 and Lorraine Daly, 10:50.
The Ronnie Delany Trophy for the county to have the most runners finish under 45 minutes was won by Laois who narrowly shaded it over Mayo.
The SPAR Great Ireland Run was again splendidly organised and runners, joggers and walkers continued to cross the finish line up two hours after the starter’s gun had sounded. The event was blessed with good weather and there was a real party atmosphere in the Phoenix Park. This was the first year for SPAR Ireland to sponsor this event which looks set for further growth in the years ahead.