Judges on stage - Jessie Hooker-Bailey, Gilbert L. Bailey, Bailey McCall, Ellen Hart, Scott Barbarino, with the event MC Chris Mauro (Courtesy)

Taking Center Stage: Ellen’s Stardust Diner Hosts Nationwide Youth Auditions for Kids’ Night on Broadway

Taking Center Stage: Ellen’s Stardust Diner Hosts Nationwide Youth Auditions for Kids’ Night on Broadway

On Tuesday, July 8, thirty young performers from across the country stepped into the spotlight at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, the iconic Times Square restaurant known for its retro décor and singing waitstaff. The occasion: a nationwide talent showcase honoring Kids’ Night on Broadway, the annual program that introduces children to the magic of live theater.

From 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the basement-level Iridium stage below the diner transformed into a bustling audition hall. The young finalists—ages 6 to 18—were selected from hundreds of virtual submissions and invited to sing live for a panel of industry judges. At 1 p.m., five winners were announced and will return later this summer to perform alongside the Stardusters, the diner’s celebrated singing servers, during the official Kids’ Night on Broadway festivities.

Ellen Hart, the diner’s owner and founder—and a former Miss Subways from 1959—welcomed participants with warmth and humor. Now in her 80s, Hart remains a central force at the venue she opened in the late 1980s, which has since launched the careers of dozens of performers who have gone on to Broadway, film, and television.

The judging panel included Jessie Hooker-Bailey, Gilbert L. Bailey, Bailey McCall, Ellen Hart, and Scott Barbarino.

Auditions unfolded by age group, beginning with the youngest singers. The performances, which ranged from Broadway classics to contemporary hits, reflected a blend of raw talent, nerves, and undeniable stage presence. 

For many of the young performers, it was their first time singing on a New York stage.

“Some of these kids are the real deal,” said Barbarino, who has coached Stardusters for years. “You could see who’s ready for the lights of Broadway—and who might be, very soon.”

At 1 p.m., the five standout winners were announced. Each winner took a bow alongside the judges for a celebratory photo moment. Though the final names were not released publicly at press time, representatives from the diner confirmed the group would return for a special performance later this summer as part of the official Kids’ Night on Broadway.

Sponsored by The Broadway League, Kids’ Night on Broadway offers free Broadway tickets to children under 18 when accompanied by a paying adult. Ellen’s Stardust Diner also participates in the initiative, offering free kids’ meals with the purchase of an adult entrée.

The energy on Tuesday was unmistakably Broadway—a joyful mix of backstage hustle and center-stage dreams.

For more information on future events at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, visit www.ellensstardustdiner.com or follow @ellensstardust on social media.

The Five Winners on Stage (Courtesy)

For more information on future events at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, visit www.ellensstardustdiner.com or follow @ellensstardust on social media.