Now there are 10. But by the end of Saturday night, just one teenage singer will claim $2,000, a notebook computer and — most precious of all — the title of Idol NV.

Tickets to the final round of the singing competition at the Napa Valley Opera House were nearly gone by Monday morning, according to executive director Evy Warshawski.

“We anticipate a sellout,” said Warshawski, who is trying to arrange for an expected overflow crowd of 500-plus with a closed-circuit TV link to the Opera House Cafe Theatre.

Warshawski’s brainchild and the first of its kind in Napa, the Idol NV teen contest began slowly with just eight brave souls appearing before a crowd of mostly friends and family Jan. 13.

But by the fifth round earlier this month, an audience of nearly 300 clapped and cheered as 13 young singers vied for the last two places in this weekend’s final.

And not everyone applauding was connected with a contestant. Devoted Idol NV fans now include community members and the Opera House family of staff, supporters and volunteers.

“All of us look forward to it,” Warshawski said of the upcoming final round. “We’ve all had so much fun, and hope everyone else has too.”

Final field

promises variety

The 10 finalists, selected from more than three dozen singers who competed over five nights in January, February and early March, range in age from 14 to 17. Most live in Napa, but American Canyon, Yountville and St. Helena are also represented.

Of the eight young women who will sing Saturday night, three attend Napa High School and three go to Vintage High; the others attend Justin-Siena and St. Helena High.

One of the two young men competing for the title is also from Justin-Siena, and the other is home-schooled.

In the qualifying rounds, each judged by a different panel of three, some finalists sang 20th-century show tunes — including an aria from a 1905 operetta — while others chose contemporary hits, particularly from reigning pop queen Christina Aguilera.

Warshawski said while there’s no rule requiring finalists to perform different material on Saturday, “we have strongly encouraged them to pick a new song,” as they would have to if they were competing on television’s American Idol.

“It forces them to work on this, rather than relying on what they won on the first time,” she said. “We just want to keep it exciting and new, and see them in a different light.”

One special feature of Saturday’s show is being prepared by Napa singer Andrew Moore, who served on the judges’ panel the first night of the competition. Moore will lead all 10 Idol NV finalists in a group performance as the three judges make the ultimate decision.

The panel will rate each performance based on four criteria: “musical ability,” including voice quality, range and pitch; “presence,” defined as the singer’s poise and comfort with performing; “originality” in song selection and wardrobe and “style”: movement, personality and attitude.

Saturday’s winner will get more than a $2,000 cashier’s check and a notebook PC: She or he is also guaranteed a gig singing at the all-schools Grad Night June 7, as well as the chance to open for a headline act at the Opera House in 2007.

Only one singer can take the title, but the judges’ first runner-up will go home with a $750 check and $50 in pizza money from Mary’s and a second runner-up will receive $250 and a $25 gift certificate to Jonesy’s.

No one will leave the stage empty-handed: All of the finalists will get a grab-bag of gifts from local businesses, including certificates to spend at popular vintage fashion shops Wildcat and Betty’s Girl and restaurants NY Pizza and Papa Murphy’s.

Warshawski has invited the earlier Idol NV contestants to be her guests at the final round, where they’ll be eligible to draw for a second HP notebook computer.

 During the earlier rounds, audience members voted for their favorites, who won additional prizes even if the judges didn’t select them as finalists. Audience voting won’t be part of the final evening, but ticketholders will make their voices heard nonetheless, if previous rounds are any indicator: Fans have cheered, chanted and even waved signs supporting their favorite singers.

The Idol NV series has been such a hit with the community that Warshawski is already pondering another contest, perhaps for instrumentalists.

“I think it’s garnered good vibes,” she said.

Idol NV

Napa Valley Opera House

Saturday, March 17, 8 p.m.

1030 Main St, Napa

Tickets: $15 students, $20 adults

Box Office: 226-7372

www.nvoh.org

Idol NV finalists

Round 1, Jan. 13

Gina Austin, 17, Napa, Vintage High School: “Vilja” (Franz Lehar)

Alexzandra Owner, 16, Napa, Justin-Siena High School: “Mercy on Me” (Christina Aguilera)

Round 2, Jan. 27:

Monica Ali-Musa, 16, Napa, Napa High School: “Fallin” (Alicia Keys)

Jessica Adlawan, 16, American Canyon, Vintage High School: “Mercy on Me” (Christina Aguilera)

Round 3, Feb. 3:

Megan Murray, 17, St. Helena, St. Helena High School: “Black Velvet” (Alannah Myles)

Talia Trozzo, 14, Napa, Napa High School: “In My Own Little Corner” (Rodgers and Hammerstein)

Round 4, Feb. 24:

Justin Diaz, 15, Napa, homeschooled: “Feeling Good” (Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse)

Eric Quast, 15, Yountville, Justin-Siena High School: “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” (Freddie Mercury)

Round 5, March 3:

Chelsea Brock, 17, Napa, Napa High School: “At Last” (Mack Gordon, Harry Warren)

Devon Hadsell, 15, Napa, Vintage High School: “Someone to Watch Over Me” (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin)