Ship Idol contestants brought their favorite showstopper tunes of Broadway to this week’s fourth round of the competition.

With only seven contestants left, competition was fierce. Judges were on the hunt for the total package. The contestants chose songs from Broadway. Musicals not only involve people with great voices, but tell a story with their words.

Competitors chose music from “Hairspray,” “American Idiot the Musical,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Misérables,” “Wicked,” “Rent” and “Spring Awakening.”

Sarah Grillo started off the competition, followed by beautiful ballads by crowd favorites, Kat Doyle and Olivia Ickes. Doyle received praise from all four judges with compliments like, “I think you’re my choice for the night.” Tisha Schwanger rocked the house, with her husband on the guitar, for her performance of “21 Guns.” Papada’s energy always captures the judges and audience members’ attention.

Chase Wenger felt the pressure from this week’s theme. His performance failed to impress the judges and the audience. The judges still complimented Wenger on his “nice voice and solid tone,” yet commented that the music “overpowered him.” Wenger was eliminated from Round 4 of the competition.

The judges for Tuesday’s performances were Brian Clarke, Faith Bachman, Rachael Oberman and president of Student Senate, Ethan Goldbach. Bachman and previous judge Natalie Kunce performed a duet to “Maybe This Time” from the musical “Cabaret,” during the voting.

All the contestants came together before elimination to sing “Without Love” from the musical “Hairspray.” The night closed with audience and contestants singing “Happy Birthday” to host Gillian Dolen. Judge Brian Clarke was also happy to announce that next week’s theme is “British Invasion.” So be ready to take a trip from Broadway to “jolly ol’ England” next week for Ship Idol in the CUB MPR at 8 p.m.

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