Competitors set for Just Duet 2026 at the Colonial Theatre

LACONIA ― The teams are set for the 2026 editions of Just Duet: Broadway Style, a fundraising competition to raise money for Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative programming and the Colonial Theatre Advancement Fund. Once again, Powerhouse and Spectacle Live team up for this popular "American Idol"-style musical singing competition to be held on Saturday, March 21, at 7 p.m.

Three-time champions Joel and Laura Iwaskiewicz are hosting the event this year, ensuring a new champion will be crowned through a combination of judges' scores and audience “votes” ― every dollar donated online in advance or at the event counts as one point for the team earning the dollar. Jim Rogato will once again be on hand as the event announcer.

This year’s competition features the most teams ever ― 15 duos who perform with Powerhouse and on stages all around the state. Each duo performs an uptempo and ballad musical theater song, one number in each act.

Competitors include Lauren Shelby Douglas and Nora McBurnett; Katie Duncan and Tess Hodges; Anna Cook and Louie Laurendeau; Kaitlyn Cooper and Lily Allard; Garrison Barron and Chris Catalan; Deidre Cullen and Samantha Paquette; Deirdre Arcand and Emma Molloy; Connor Butt and Aidan Lamont; Eric and Kelsey Berthiaume; Robby Sturtevant and Majed Almustafa; Emilee Thomson and Jeremy Dingman; Sharleigh Thomson and Nikolai Fernandez; Connor Forbes and Meredith Carver; Lindsey Packer and Julie Hirshan Hart; and Rachel Hunton and Heather Bullimore.

Three teams have chosen to utilize last year’s new "tri-et" option to bring in a third performer on one of their songs, so the evening entertainment will also include Madison MacNeill, Jeremy Hart, and Maci Johnson.

New this year is the Super Team option, where two teams can team up for a quartet that counts for both teams, and the competition portion of the show will end with a dynamic quartet. Once again, Powerhouse’s Power Chords will entertain the audience while votes are being tallied at the end of the night before the winner announcement is made. 

All contestants win prizes such as gift certificates to local businesses and restaurants. Tickets are available on the Colonial Theatre’s website, coloniallaconia.com, and through powerhousenh.org/justduet. Use the links on the Colonial or Powerhouse websites to avoid overcharges by third-party sites. 

“We so appreciate that 15 teams are so excited to perform on the Colonial stage and support the cause, " said Bryan Halperin, Powerhouse producer. "Powerhouse loves to showcase the talents of New Hampshire performers and bring people together at the Colonial in a night of joy and giving.”

For all the details on Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative, auditions, and other events in the 2026 season, check out powerhousenh.org or email info@powerhousenh.org.