Bowling Alley Worker’s Classic Broadway Hit Has Judges Literally Screaming.

You can tell Michael Woodard has the kind of vivid personality that will carry him far in life. Combine that with an incredible voice and commanding stage presence and you have a prime contestant for American Idol’s 16th season.

But he’s no stranger to the stage, having already won a singing competition on Disney’s The Hub at the ripe age of 14. Four years later, he stepped it up with a move to Los Angeles, after he was accepted into the Musicians Institute, College of Contemporary Music.

For now, he’s working as a bowling alley attendant, using his universally likable personality to win over the children whose parties he helps organize.

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And while he enjoys the job, “it’s not where I would like to stay,”he said.

This performance means the world to me right now. It’s really nerve wracking because this is the final opportunity you get to let the judges know that you belong here.

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Those comments came during a segment that aired late last month when he took the stage by storm with his soulful solo performance of “Maybe This Time,”from Cabaret.

He sang it beautifully, of course, but his strong stage presence and universally likable personality combined to bring Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan to their feet in the final moments of the song.

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“What?!”Lionel exclaimed, his arms open wide as if seeking an explanation.

And Katy? All she could do was scream!

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With all those incredible qualities going for him, there was no doubt in the judges’ minds that fans would take to him as quickly as they did …

I shocked myself. I don’t know what the heck just happened on that stage, but it was something else. All I know is that I turned when I hit the last note, and the judges were on their feet … Waiting for a couple hours is not going to drive be nuts because I know that I did my best.

With that kind of performance, how could he have not moved forward to the next level? This is one guy you definitely want to follow.

Check out the performance that has everyone rooting for him in the clip below, and share if you understand why Katy, Lionel, and Luke reacted the way they did.