Op zoek naar Zorro (Looking for Zorro) is a Dutch television talent series broadcast on AVRO from late 2010 until early 2011. It will document the search for a new, undiscovered musical theatre performer to play the role of Zorro in the forthcoming stage production of Zorro. Produced by Eyeworks for the AVRO, the series will be hosted by Frits Sissing and judged by Willem Nijholt.
The series follows previous collaborations between the AVRO and Willem Nijholt to find new musical theatre performers: Op zoek naar Evita which was won by Brigitte Heitzer, Op zoek naar Joseph which was won by Freek Bartels and Op zoek naar Mary Poppins which was won by Noortje Herlaar.
Op zoek naar zorro i gotta feeling
Auditions
Applications for the series from those from 20 to 35 were solicited in March 2010 all over the Netherlands.
Finalists
Eleven potential Zorros made it through the audition rounds and will perform during the live shows starting from 1 January 2011 but this time, the live shows will be shifted from Sunday to Saturday nights. The final will be broadcast on 19 February 2011. Each potential Zorro wore a black jacket and a sash of a certain colour, which made identification easier. At the end of every live show, the losing Zorro would have his jacket and sash stripped by the Zorro who survived the sing off, then takes the lead song of the farewell song: a combination of Hope and Man Behind the Mask from Zorro.
The eventual winner, Tommie Christiaan, had previously initially made it to the finals in Op zoek naar Joseph in 2008, but had dropped out when he had been offered a lead role in High School Musical. Fourth-placed Dennis de Groot was offered a part in the ensemble in Zorro when he was eliminated, which he accepted.
* at the start of the series
Jury's favourite Zorro
1 Willem's choice for Zorro was Roman van der Werff
The first of the live finals on New Year’s Day on Saturday 1 January 2011 saw the 11 finalists perform to stay in the competition. It also saw the winner of Op zoek naar Evita Brigitte Heitzer as the first guest judge. The results show saw Sandor become the first contestant to be eliminated. The performances during the first week were:
Group performances:
Opening mash-up: "I Gotta Feeling" (by The Black Eyed Peas)/"Huil niet om mij Argentina(Don't Cry for Me Argentina)" (from the musical Evita)/"Sluit alle deuren(Close Every Door)" (from the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat)/"Alles kan (Anything Can Happen)" (from the musical Mary Poppins) with Brigitte Heitzer, Freek Bartels and Noortje Herlaar
Sandor was joined in the sing-off by Samuel. They performed "Niets dan dit" by BLØF and Trijntje Oosterhuis.
Willem Nijholt chose to save Samuel and eliminate Sandor.
Week 2 (8 January)
The second live show on Saturday 8 January 2011 saw the 10 finalists perform to stay in the competition. The guest judge this week was singer and actress Karin Bloemen. The results show saw Samuel become the second contestant to be eliminated. The performances during the second week were:
Samuel was joined in the sing-off by Kelvin. They performed "De laatste dag" by 3JS.
Willem Nijholt chose to save Kelvin and eliminate Samuel.
Week 3 (15 January)
The third live show on Saturday 15 January 2011 saw the 9 finalists perform to stay in the competition. The guest judge this week was singer and musical actress Kim-Lian van der Meij. The results show saw Dennis ten V. become the third contestant to be eliminated. The performances during the third week were:
Group performances:
Opening mash-up: "I Kissed a Girl" (by Katy Perry)/"Only Girl (In the World)" (by Rihanna) with Kim-Lian van der Meij
Dennis ten V. was joined in the sing-off by Marijn. They performed "Zeg me dat het niet waar is (Tell Me It's Not True)" from the musical Blood Brothers.
Willem Nijholt chose to save Marijn and eliminate Dennis ten V.
Week 4 (22 January)
The fourth live show on Saturday 22 January 2011 saw the 8 finalists perform to stay in the competition. The guest judge this week was singer and musical actress Antje Monteiro. The results show saw Jeroen and Kelvin become the fourth and fifth contestants to be eliminated. The performances during the fourth week were:
Marijn was saved by Nijholt and Kelvin was eliminated
Week 5 (29 January)
The fifth live show on Saturday 29 January 2011 saw the 6 finalists perform to stay in the competition. The guest judge this week was actress, singer and musician Ellen ten Damme. The results show saw Marijn become the sixth contestant to be eliminated. The performances during the fifth week were:
Willem Nijholt chose to save Mischa and eliminate Marijn.
Week 6 (5 February)
The sixth live show on Saturday 5 February 2011 saw the 5 finalists perform to stay in the competition. The guest judge this week was actress and musical star Chantal Janzen. The results show saw Mischa become the seventh contestant to be eliminated. The performances during the sixth week were:
Mischa was joined in the sing-off by Roman. They performed "De winnaar krijgt de macht(The Winner Takes It All)" from the musical Mamma Mia.
Willem Nijholt chose to save Roman and eliminate Mischa.
Week 7 (12 February)
The seventh week of competition was the semi-final stage of the series. On 12 February 2011 the four remaining contestants sang live for a place in the final. This week's guest judge was singer Berget Lewis. The results show saw Dennis de G. became the eighth contestant to be eliminated from the competition. The performances during the seventh week were:
Willem Nijholt chose to save Ruud and eliminate Dennis de G., but Erwin van Lambaart offered Dennis de G. a job as a key member of the ensemble in the musical Zorro which he accepted.
Grand Final Show 1
Group performances:
Finalists and former contestants: "’’Zorro’’ mash-up of Bamboleo/Djobi, Djoba" with ensemble from Zorro
Having received the lowest number of votes from the viewers, Ruud finished in third place.
Grand Final Show 2
Final performances
Following the elimination of Ruud, the final two both performed "Een liefde die niet mag bestaan" ("A Love We'll Never Live"), from the musical Zorro, with Michelle Splietelhof, who will play Luisa in Zorro, and each performed "Hoop" ("Hope"), a second song from that musical:
Roman: "Hoop" ("Hope")
Tommie: "Hoop" ("Hope")
The Final Vote
The final vote was then announced and it was revealed that the winner was Tommie Christiaan. He then concluded the series with a performance of "Slotlied" and "Baila Me".
