John-Michael Scapin, a 17-year-old high school student from Newmarket, Ont., has been chosen winner in the CBC reality TV program Triple Sensation.

Scapin, chosen by a marquee panel of judges for his singing, dancing and acting talent, wins a $150,000 scholarship that allows him to study at a top theatrical training school anywhere in the world.

Triple Sensation winner John-Michael Scapin won a $150,000 scholarship.
(CBC)

"From the first audition, he completely wowed all of us with a musical number, He Loves Me," said show producer and judge Garth Drabinsky.

Although Scapin was up against some tough musical competition in Anwyn Musico of Ontario and Keely Hutton of Newfoundland and Labrador, both accomplished singers, he impressed the judges with his "clarion, perfectly pitched voice," Drabinsky said.

In the Sunday night finale, he proved himself again with a rendition of Gershwin's Nice Work if You Can Get It and two acting performances that Drabinsky described as "staggering."

Scapin presented a dramatic monologue as a mentally challenged boy hoping for acceptance from a co-op board that left the live audience rapt, Drabinsky said.

And he handled a difficult scene from Taming of the Shrew with "tennis-match pacing" in a performance that many much older performers could not have managed.

"He handled it with fantastic deftness," Drabinsky said.

A French immersion student at Aurora High School, Scapin plays the piano, French horn and cello. He also has won several regional musical theatre competitions.

The search for a Canadian Triple Sensation was broadcast over three nights, beginning Oct. 7.

Contestants ranging in age from 16 to 24 had to prove themselves before a panel of judges that included:

• Adrian Noble, former artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
• Canadian actress Cynthia Dale.
• Choreographer Sergio Turjillo.
• Composer Marvin Hamlisch.
• Theatre impresario Drabinsky.

The winner was chosen Sunday, after contestants participated in a month-long master-class to study theatre, singing and dance.

Dancing kicked up a notch

Dancing was Scapin's weakest talent going into the competition, but he improved greatly with classes with Donna Feore and the great amount he had learned was evident in an ensemble number early in Sunday's show, Drabinsky said.

He said runners-up, Musico and Hutton, who won smaller scholarships, were also fabulous performers.

Musico, 20, of Ingersoll, Ont., a member of the first graduating class in musical theatre at St. Lawrence College in Brockville, won a $50,000 scholarship.

Keely Hutton, 22, of St. John's, who has been a finalist on Popstars and Canadian Idol, won a $25,000 scholarship.

The CBC reality TV show won critical acclaim. It was hailed by the Toronto Star as "a reality show that wasn't based on cruelty and actually respected the talents and humanity of all its participants."

Drabinsky said the prize is designed to give Canadian performers a way to develop all their talents in one place by applying to a school that can teach them all aspects of performance.

"I was always cognizant of the depth of talent available across Canada," he said. "The problem has been where do they go with it."

Drabinsky said Scapin may be headed for the Juilliard School in New York with his scholarship.

"He has staggering levels of talent — to be 17 and that gifted," he said. "I can't wait to see what will happen."