Syesha Mercado: From third place on 'American Idol' to 'Dreamgirls'

SEATTLE (MCT) — "You have many people who were on 'American Idol' just going back to their normal lives after the show, and not doing music anymore," observes Syesha Mercado, an "Idol" contestant who came in third on the TV talent-show phenom in 2008.

"Then you have people who go on to do a lot of things — Broadway, hit records, movies."

Mercado is angling for the latter category by signing on to a glitzy U.S. tour of the Broadway musical "Dreamgirls," which opens a Seattle stand on Tuesday.

Mercado plays Deena, a member of a Supremes-like 1960s girl group, The Dreamettes. And her first performances in the role occurred late last year at Harlem's legendary Apollo Theatre — where many stars got their first break, and the patrons are famously rowdy.

"It was a little nerve-wracking," Mercado admits by phone from her Los Angeles home. "This was my first big thing, and the audience was hilarious. There's a line in the show where I tell Curtis, Deena's husband, 'It's over.' And the crowd would just go nuts and shout things — like, 'Girl, you better leave that boy!' "

"Idol" devotees will recall that Mercado, a svelte, striking young woman of Puerto Rican and Bahamian heritage, finished third in a hard-fought "Idol" season that ended with rocker David Cook and tween-dream runner-up David Archuleta triumphing.

But while she took some lumps from judges and viewers for being too bland and "too cabaret," Mercado emerged as a tough competitor with a pliable voice, some diva glamour and the kind of stage flair that's scarce on this year's "Idol."

Also apparent: Mercado's self-confidence, honed in many youth talent contests and a lot of training. At her best, she torched up the small screen with sizzling renditions of "Fever" and "One Rock 'n' Roll Too Many" that brought down the house.

"I had a background in musical and 'straight' theater," says the poised, articulate performer, now 23. "I studied all kinds of dance — jazz, tap, ballet, modern, Fosse. I studied theater in college in Miami."

That foundation helped her nab the role of Deena (played by Beyonce in the "Dreamgirls" film, opposite "Idol" alum Jennifer Hudson).

Thanks to the movie, the stage role of Deena has been expanded for the tour. "Listen," Beyonce's dramatic solo number, shows up as a duet for Deena and Effie (played by Adrienne Warren), the Dreamettes member who gets shunted aside as Deena's star rises.