— Mary Garrison/Tribune-Courier || 9-year-old Michael Paul Castleberry of Symsonia demonstrates his clogging abilities during his talent show performance Friday night.

Badgett Playhouse begins 2009 season with talent competition

Castleberry takes
top honors with
clogging skills

By Mary Garrison
Tribune-Courier Reporter mgarrison@tribunecourier.com

GRAND RIVERS – The stars are bright over Kentucky, and the Badgett Playhouse in Grand Rivers was happy to showcase the brightest with its fourth annual talent competition on Friday.

Beginning its fourth full season of operation, owner Bill Minihan brought together seven talented contestants from all over the region to perform in the Playhouse’s first show of 2009.

And quite an array of talent it was. Contestant Suzanne Dorroh, 22, of Princeton, had previously appeared as a golden ticket winner on the second season of the television hit American Idol in 2003.

However, Dorroh was not the only competitor with a claim to fame. Ray Ligen of Madisonville has had his share of the limelight, giving opening performances for Tracy Lawrence and often appearing on WPSD’s Telethon of Stars.

Samantha Thornton, 16, of Columbia, Tenn., is a former beauty pageant contender and junior grand champion at the Kentucky Opry in Draffenville for her skills on the guitar and vocal talent.

The playhouse had no shortage of local talent to offer, as well. Lacy Leigh Mack, 16, of Clinton, Caroline Garcia of Princeton and Savannah Gardner, 12, of Reidland, all demonstrated their vocal prowess.

However, little Michael Paul Castleberry, 9, of Symsonia stole the show. Michael has been clogging since the tender age of 5, and has been the opening act at the Kentucky Opry for more than three years.

Michael, or as Minihan prefers to call him “Crazy-legs” Castleberry, was the only Marshall County contestant and took home top honors for the evening. Michael earned a $200 prize and an appearence with the playhouse Variety show.

Thornton and Dorroh tied for second place, and Ligen took third place honors.

The playhouse will kick off its regular show season this weekend with a recreation of the classic television series “Hee-Haw.”

“We had such a good time with it last year we decided to do it again this year,” Minihan said.

For ticket information call the box office at 1888-362-4223 or visit www.grandriversvariety.com for complete show listings and times.