The Kean Theatre to Host Rally for 'America's Got Talent' Sensation Jackie Evancho on the Big Screen

The Kean Theatre to Host Rally for 'America's Got Talent' Sensation Jackie Evancho on the Big Screen

Richland Township native had competed at St. Barnabas' Kean Idol competition

GIBSONIA, Pa., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Before she became America's sweetheart on "America's Got Talent," Jackie Evancho of Richland Township near Pittsburgh won the hearts of the judges and audiences in an annual local amateur talent contest organized by St. Barnabas Charities, the Kean Idol. In support of Jackie, the Kean Theatre will host a Kean Idol Jackie Evancho Rally on Wednesday, Sept. 15 so past Kean Idol contestants and hometown fans can gather as results are announced on "America's Got Talent." Doors to the Kean Theatre, 5847 Meridian Road, will open at 7:30 p.m. "America's Got Talent" will be shown on the theatre's 12-foot screen from 8 to 10 p.m. Greeting the fans will be Pittsburgh doo-wop legend Johnny Angel, former Kean Idol judge and emcee.

The Kean Idol Jackie Evancho Rally is free and open to the public. For questions, call 724-443-0700, Ext. 5310. Those attending will have an opportunity to register for the 2011 Kean Idol Amateur Talent Contest, which will be held on weekends in February and March. Amateur singers and dancers of all ages are encouraged to participate. Proceeds benefit the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund, which provides more than $4.3 million annually to poor and low-income residents at St. Barnabas Nursing Home and Valencia Woods at St. Barnabas. Since the contest began in 2004, more than 600 singers and dancers have performed.

Jackie competed twice in the Kean Idol Amateur Talent Contest, earning the position of first runner-up in both 2008 and 2009, when she was 7 and 8 years old, respectively. She sang the National Anthem at St. Barnabas Charities' annual Founder's Day fund-raising dinner in 2009 and performed as the featured singer at the 2010 Kean Idol Vocal Championship.

"It's incredibly exciting to see one of our Kean Idol contestants receive the attention and accolades that Jackie has garnered," said Tom Madden, director of the Kean Theatre. "Her voice at age 7 was amazing, and she's honed her gift even more through hard work and excellent coaching and support. We're hosting this rally to show our support of Jackie and all of the Kean Idol singers and dancers who have taken the bold step of competing in front of a live audience."

www.stbarnabashealthsystem.com

Contacts: Kathleen Brenneman, Dir. of Public Relations, 724-444-5530; kbrenneman@stbarnabashealthsystem.com

Shelli Sommariva, Marketing Communication Manager, 724-443-0700, Ext. 5244; ssommariva@stbarnabashealthsystem.com

Source: St. Barnabas Health System

CONTACT: Kathleen Brenneman, Dir. of Public Relations, +1-724-444-5530,
kbrenneman@stbarnabashealthsystem.com; or Shelli Sommariva, Marketing
Communication Manager, +1-724-443-0700, Ext. 5244,
ssommariva@stbarnabashealthsystem.com, both of St. Barnabas Health System

Web Site: http://www.stbarnabashealthsystem.com/

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