Last Saturday night the historic movie theater in Anthony, Kansas, rocked with excitement and live entertainment. Twelve contestants from age 2 to over 70 competed for $1,000 prize money in the Fourth Annual Anthony Theatre's Got Talent Live.

Spectators walking inside the spacious theater could see why the grand building with high ceilings and colorful tiles was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1991. Built in the 1930s, the theater features Art Deco architecture, a look popular from 1920-1940. Nov. 23, 1936, marked the grand opening of the theater.

Water stains and more evidence of the years of decline prove why a group of locals have raised funds since 2008 to restore the building to its grandeur. Their efforts continue and they welcome any donations to preserving this irreplaceable piece of small town America history.

The talent show is one of the many fundraisers held to further theater improvements. Committee member Lyle Wellbrock said that with many fundraisers, donations, grants, etc., they've raised approximately $700,000 to date. He said a top priority continues to be upgrading the original marquee.

Talent Show Winners

Three out-of-town judges determined the winners. Anthony woman Renee Pence won first place and $500. With a clear, sultry voice, she emotionally crooned the classic favorite "At Last" by American blues and soul artist Etta James. Besides her musical talent, Pence is an ICU registered nurse.

Second place and $300 went to Anthony young woman Abigail Alexander. She sat at the keyboards and sang an original song she wrote, "Livin' in a Small Town." Her floral dress was pretty; her voice was good; the words she wrote were priceless.

A teen who attends Heights High School in Wichita took third place and $200. She is Sylvia Bennett who strummed a ukulele as she sang the pop ballad originally sung by Elvis, "Can't Help Falling in Love." She had the popular look and sound that is trending today.

At the end of the show, each contestant walks onto the stage and the audience responds, cheering the loudest for their favorite performer. The large pull-down movie screen shows an official applause meter to determine the winner.

Based on that meter, The People's Choice Award went to Anthony youth Mercades Smith who sang "Hallelujah." This is the song written by Leonard Cohen and made popular by Jeff Buckley and is now performed by endless artists in many venues. Smith certainly made the song writer proud with her performance.

Opening the show and playing while the judges made their decision was last year's winning entry, The Rollin' River Bluegrass Band. Last year's People's Choice Award winner Ashton Burel played her fiddle with Rollin' River. Watching her make the fiddle practically dance, it's not surprising to find Burel is going to school in Branson and will be in a show there this coming summer.

Yvonne Miller

Anthony woman Renee Pence sings the Etta James classic "At Last" to seal the judge's vote as winner of the Anthony Theatre's Got Talent Live contest.

Also performing at those times was last year's second-place winner Hunter Spicer who is a Chaparral High School student. He opened the show by singing the national anthem with his strong voice. Later he strummed his guitar while performing a hilarious song with lyrics about what husbands should NOT say to their wives.

The evening was as fun and motivational as are the efforts of the group of volunteers who work together to restore this historic treasure.