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Written by: Angela Diaco
April Fool’s Day this year was by far the most entertaining yet. Junior Class Cabinet sponsored the Mr. Bentley Pageant, where a studly bunch of 12 Bentley men competed for the title. Part Ms. USA pageant, part American Idol, part Chip n’ Dales exotic dance show, it was an event to be reckoned with.
Contestants competed in areas of school spirit, “talent,” and formal wear. A rambunctious crowd came to cheer on the contestants as they got on stage and shook their stuff, much to the mortification of judge # 1: Season’s own Camille.
Performances came in all shapes and sizes: Alex Hodge had the crowd singing along to Oasis’ Wonderwall, singer Rob Wedinger gave a heartfelt routine, Corey Goodermote put Napoleon Dynamite to shame with his own dance rendition, Chad Arrendell cracked us up with his artful story-telling, Mike Cunningham showed us that real men can wear thongs (and sing about it, too), and Sam Streeter, with Joe Frantel, let us know what it was like to be “On a boat.”
Performances by CRAZE and Bentley’s A Capella group accented intermissions and provided a chance for audience members to run to the bar for another few rounds.
It also gave us a view of some other Bentley hotties: hosts Puja Shah in very classy dress, Marc Santilli, and the loveable Andrew Leffler wearing a smile and very flattering pants.
Other very creative and noteworthy acts included Nick Aquino’s guitar-and-song Lady Gaga mega-mix, Phil Marquis’s incredible beatboxing mix that had the crowd in awe, and Josh Ranger’s hilarious demonstration of how “root beer” can be opened conveniently with anything from a Bic lighter to a financial calculator. Bet they didn’t teach you that in FI 305.
One of my favorite acts had to be Rob “Big Rob” Monticchio’s serenade to the ever lovely Kelly Peterson, singing The Temptation’s My Girl.
But it wouldn’t be a Bentley event without some serious drama. Intense, inter-contestant hating commenced as Chris Hall mercilessly shat on Nick Aquino throughout the show. All in good fun, though… The two were seen canoodleing after the pageant.
When it came time to announce the winners, all contestants cleaned up impeccably and appeared on stage with their gown-attired dates. Rob Wedinger gave a tearful acceptance speech after being voted Mr. Congeniality.
Runner-up Josh Ranger took up his mantle gracefully, but all the glory belonged to the winner and new Mr. Bentley: Phil Marquis. Then it was hugs all around and loads of guy love – no homo.
All in all, the show went smoothly, save for the particularly chatty crowd situated by the cash bar… But singers and dancers had judges and Camille jamn’ all night long. A huge success.
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