COOS BAY — There’s always drama in the theater.

In its first six weeks, the Bay Area Teen Idol contest has seen plenty — both good, in the form of strong performances, and bad, when disagreements over the results led to bickering and controversy.

It was Broadway night at the contest Thursday, but organizers took the opportunity to make their strongest statement yet that off-stage drama should be left outside the theater.

“We will not tolerate booing and rude comments,” master of ceremonies Mike Chavez informed the audience at the beginning of the show.

He explained that violators would be asked to leave or escorted out by police. “I know it’s a bummer, but we had a situation last week.”

After last week’s show, organizers received several complaints about a stream of inappropriate remarks coming from a parent of a contestant during other contestants’ performances.

There were no such incidents reported Thursday, when an audience of more than 300 filled the Egyptian Theatre in Coos Bay.

But that didn’t mean all the drama was gone. In keeping with the theme, contestants ratcheted up the theatrical elements of their performances, using costumes and props to bring characters from Broadway musicals to the stage in the first round.

The focus on performance continued in the second half, when an open choice round gave contestants the opportunity to be themselves.

Taking advantage of that opportunity made the difference in the top scores, according to Star Moralez, who placed first.

“All of us spend too much time trying to be like everyone else, but a little bit better,” Moralez said after the show. “I never wanted to be that. So I quit. So that’s what I’m gonna keep doing: what I want to do. … I don’t fit in. That’s a good thing.”

Moralez, 15, sang “I Know Where I’ve Been” from “Hairspray” and “Vienna” by Billy Joel.

Alyssa Birrer placed second with “Good and Evil” from “Jekyll and Hyde” and “The Thunder Rolls” by Garth Brooks. Destyni Fuller was third with “Cabaret” and LeeAnn Rimes’ “Ten Thousand Angels Cried.”

Two more contestants were eliminated: Mercedese Mannon and Krista Kilmer.

Both eliminations drew reactions of surprise among the show’s followers.

Mannon gave her best performance yet in the second round with the Dixie Chicks’ “Ready To Run.” While that drew only positive comments, judges advised her to use more of the stage after “Part of Your World” from “The Little Mermaid.”

“I thought she did enough to stay in,” said Marty Crouse, who works with the contestants in group rehearsals.

 “But they want her to move around more.”

Kilmer also showed continued growth, particularly in her first-round performance of “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” from “My Fair Lady.”

Judge Kim Handsaker told Kilmer she’d be a shoo-in for the role of Eliza if “My Fair Lady” were being cast then.

“I see you blossoming more with every performance,” judge Barbara Bates told Kilmer after she sang Train’s “When I Look to the Sky.”

Kevin Freeman of the Young Bucs also judged for the first time. Alyssa Birrer was named the people’s choice winner for Aug. 7.

There was little surprise about Moralez taking the top score for the second time this year. Moralez was back in the form she showed in the first few weeks of the competition, after a couple of weeks in which she seemed to be having a harder time keeping up with Birrer, dropping to third place last week.

Moralez had an explanation for what was keeping her back: “I got caught up in the drama.”

(Entertainment Editor Chip Dombrowski can be reached by calling 269-1222, ext. 243, or by e-mailing cdombrowski@theworldlink.com.)