It is rare when one can say that every performer dazzled in some way. Despite their beginner status, they seemed very professional. I’m sure director Scott Coulter had a hand in getting them to give such pro impressions, with timing, body movement and knowing how to put across a song. Other input came from Vibecke Dahl as choregrapher, and Rick Hinkson was assistant director.

The individual start was strong. DJ Plunkett wowed the crowd with “Go the Distance” from “Hercules,” his impassioned voice symbolically expressing the career hopes of the night. There followed a succession of stalwarts, each in excellent voice—Christine Baird with “Once Upon a Dream” from “Sleeping Beauty” and “Someday My Prince Will Come” from “Snow White;” Anne Bragg with “Almost There” from “The Princess and the Frog;” Sarah Bishop stirring with “The Life I Never Led” from “Sister Act” and Adam Huel Potter demonstrating a strong voice with “Be Prepared” from “The Lion King.”

Malik Eccleston, backed by Rising Star company members, delivered a potent “A Dream Is a Wish” from “Cinderella.” Then came a jazzy number that was a highlight-- Paola Hernandez sang and danced to “I Wanna Be a Rockette” from the unproduced “Kicks: The Showgirl Musical.” Unstoppable determination and enthusiasm, as well as talent, were packed into the number.

Jacob Pressley revealed a leading man voice with “If I Can’t Love Her” from “Beauty and the Beast.” Ben Chavez’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from “”The Lion King” and Josh Greenblatt, backed by the company, singing “Endless Night,” also from “The Lion King,” impressively concluded the first act.

There was much audience buzz during intermission expressing amazement as how good the performers all were. ‘Better than stars,” pontificated one audience member whom I overheard. Nothing in the second act would take away from such enthusiasm.

CoCo Smith started it by tearing up the place with her explosive “Poor Unfortunate Souls” from “The Little Mermaid.” From that same source, “Her Voice” was beautifully sung by Austin Thomas. Renee Gagner meaningfully conveyed the I-still-love-him sentiment in “He’s a Tramp” from “Lady and the Tramp.” I then enjoyed Francesca Capetta’s dynamic “God Help the Outcasts” from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

The audience was strikingly won over—I was too-- by Charlie Meredith with his song-and-tap-dance rendition of “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” from “Song of the South.” The crowd cheered practically every movement.

Ally Kupferberg looked attractive in her suggestion of Native American garb for her movingly interpreting “Colors of the Wind” from “Pocahontas.” Pepe Nufrio gave a good rendition of “One Song” from “Snow White.” Once again the theme of the evening echoed in Harriet Taylor’s fine performance of “Where Do I Go From Here” from “Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World.”

Then came what was the emotional highlight of the evening. Having overcome a potential obstacle to his ambitions, Sommer Carbuccia sang a heartfelt “Proud of Your Boy” from “Aladdin," after telling the crowd that his mother was in the audience. There was special resonance to the situation, The Town Hall being populated by many parents, family members and friends of those performing. Carbuccia’s turn undoubtedly touched the hearts of many, as reflected by the ovation he received.

For a finale, the entire company, the individuals having shown their stuff, united to sing “Circle of Life” from “the Lion king,” and for good measure followed with “When You Wish Upon A Star” from “Pinocchio.”