By Maryanne Saxon and Kevin Coughlin
An inspiring poet, sweet-sounding siblings and a rollicking band of grownups won top prizes at the 8th Annual Morristown’s Got Talent contest before a packed house at the Mayo Performing Arts Center on Wednesday.
“We didn’t expect it,” said Ryan Schutz, lead singer of the SteppingSTONE Band.
The group’s foot-stomping, show-closing performance of Schutz’s Get Back Up Again won a $500 cash prize as the fan favorite. In keeping with the show’s “Powered by You” theme, this award was based on text-messaged votes from audience members.
Poet Ally Are, who recited a deeply personal poem about her struggle to maintain a positive self-image, and The FAB 3 kids trio were chosen by a panel of entertainers to take home $1,000 prizes in the adult- and youth categories, respectively.
For Sofia, Isabella and Arthur “A.J.” Wawrzyniak, who covered Some Nights by the band Fun, this was their second trip to the winners’ circle. The FAB 3 siblings–Sofia is 12 and the twins are 11– took third place honors in 2013.
VIDEO: WINNING ACTS
Poem proves ‘Ideal’ for judges at Morristown’s Got Talent
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The people have spoken: SteppingSTONE Band rocks Morristown talent show; here’s video proof
‘POWERED BY YOU’
Everything from emcee Tara Bernie’s vibrant red gown to a cameo appearance by Frelinghuysen Middle School principal David Thompson was determined via social media this year, as the Morris Educational Foundation aimed to beat last winter’s $70,000 in proceeds for programs in the Morris School District.
That goal almost certainly will be met, said MGT Chairwoman Kim Pistner, who thanked sponsors, organizers, and patrons who paid up to $75 per ticket to attend.
“Every dollar raised goes directly to our kids. By strengthening our school district we bring strength to our community,” Pistner told an audience that included the mayors of Morristown, Morris Township and Morris Plains and vociferous cheering sections for the 16 acts.
From the judges’ row, everyone looked like a winner, said Morristown’s Bishop of Jazz, Rio Clemente, and singer Jane Stuart, who praised all the finalists for finding courage to step onto the big stage.
Rounding out the panel were Broadway star and Morristown High alumnus Jill Abramovitz and Jeff Friday, producer of the American Black Film Festival.
Friday said he was looking for performances that moved him. Are’s poem, Ideal, which spoke candidly about overcoming self-consciousness about her weight, did just that.
“The message was specific to her life, but it related to all of our lives. And for me, personally, it tapped into every insecurity I’ve ever had about myself. We all have them, whether we admit it or not,” said Friday.
He and his fellow judges were so moved by the entire evening that they later expressed interest in staying involved with all the performers, to help nurture their talents.
COMMON THREAD
“We really didn’t think we were going to win,” said “A.J.” Wawrzyniak of the FAB 3.
Still, the trio felt its performance was stronger than its third-place finish two years ago.
“I think we did better this time,” said A.J., who played drums and sang on Wednesday. “Last time, we didn’t do harmonies, really. This time we knew how to connect with each other more.”
That may have something to do with their voice lessons at the Original Music School in Morristown. And A.J. appears to have learned a thing or two from fellow winner Brad Marullo, lead guitarist of the STEPPINGStone Band and a Morris School District music teacher whose pupils have included A.J.
It was an extra special night for Marullo, who also shared the stage with former students Julia Bozza, and four members from Art of Play: MHS students Domenico Randazzo, TJ Coon, Ricky Webber and Peter Bacas.
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CHAMPS, ALL: Teacher Brad Marullo, center, with students past and present. From left, Julie Bozza, Arthur Wawrzyniak, Domenico Randazzo, Ricky Webber, TJ Coon and Peter Bacas. Arthur’s FAB 3 and Marullo’s SteppingSTONE Band won prizes at the 2015 Morristown’s Got Talent. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Marullo will be sharing his prize money with fellow STONES Ryan Schutz, Jonathan Presnell, Bill Fajvan and Eric Schaberg, a music teacher in Randolph.
When Ally Are was announced as a winner, her first reaction was: “Did I hear them correctly? Because if I walk out here and they said someone else, it will be really embarrassing!”
Are, whose real-life name is Alyse Royal, said she plans to use her prize money to help fund an acting course. The young poet, who works for a local auto dealer, has been saving money for the Florida trip and this victory will take “a big chunk off the price-tag,” she said.
Backstage photos: Please click icon for captions.
Beyond abundant talent, the evening’s common thread was a link to Greater Morristown — via work, play, study or a Morristown High School diploma.
Adam Casadevall of Lone Mass works in the MHS tech department. Tahrod Smith and Jovan Douglas, dancers from Battlefest Nation, are ambulance drivers in Morristown. Band members in the Bottle Openers are pals from the Lidgerwood neighborhood.
The homegrown mother/daughter duo of Amy and Julia Bozza also have Frelinghguysen Middle School in common: Amy is an administrator, Julia, a student. Evan Boncelet, who sang a Bruno Mars song, is a fourth-grader at the Sussex Avenue School. And on and on.
This array of local talent impressed panelist Jane Stuart to the point where she may need a realtor.
“I want to move to Morristown,” she told the audience.
MORE COVERAGE OF MORRISTOWN’S GOT TALENT 2015
Photos by Bill Lescohier. Please click icon below for captions.
We all need to thank Kevin Coughlan for all he does to help make this one of the most exciting and meaningful events in Morristown each year. Bravo, Kevin