By Alexandra Monfalcone
An eclectic variety of amateur performers paraded across the Morristown High School stage on Saturday, hoping to impress a panel of judges to land a coveted spot in the 10th annual Morristown Onstage competition.
Hopefuls ranged from seasoned veterans — singer/songwriter Steve Mauriello appeared in the very first show, back when it was called Morristown’s Got Talent–to newcomers such as hairstylist Keisha Johnson.
“I decided that I’m 43 and I have to conquer my nerves of performing, and everyone says I have a great voice,” explained Johnson, one of nearly 70 acts who signed up for the audition.
Sixteen finalists will compete for cash prizes in the 1,300-seat Mayo Performing Arts Center on March 1, 2017. Organized by the Morris Educational Foundation, the event has raised more than $400,000 for programs in the Morris School District over the years.
“We are incredibly grateful to all of our sponsors and playbill advertisers. With their support, we were able to raise $90,000 for our schools last year,” said Molly Servais, chair of Morristown ONSTAGE and member of the MEF board.
“Each year we add new elements to the show to make it exciting for the audience. To celebrate the 10th year, we will be weaving in memories from the past nine years,” Servais said.
In keeping with the anniversary theme, organizers are bringing back the very first winner, beat-boxer Aaron Velasquez, as one of the judges on show night. He’ll be joined by fellow Morristown High alum Ben Sesar (’88), lead drummer for country music star Brad Paisley.
The popular Tara Bernie, Emmy nominated senior producer of NBC Access Hollywood, will reprise her role as show emcee.
A $1,000 prize will go to the judges’ top picks in the over- and under 18 categories. A $500 award will go to the audience favorite, and the Morristown Onstage committee will hand out a 250 Rossoff Rising Star Award to a promising contestant.
SLIDESHOW PHOTOS BY JEFF SOVELOVE
Each year the competition is open to amateur entertainers who live, work, train or attend school in Morristown, Morris Township and Morris Plains. Morristown High School alumni also are eligible.
Morristown High School juniors Victoria Fanning, Nile Birch, and Anna Skelton, members of the school’s theater program, added sign language to their tryout rendition of John Lennon’s Imagine.
They have been learning sign language for about a year, drawing their inspiration from the Broadway revival of Spring Awakening, which uses sign language. “It added a whole new level to the show. We thought it would make our performance more meaningful,” Fanning said.
Frelinghuysen Middle School hopefuls included Wicked Youth, a four-piece band that rocked the auditorium with its version of Aerosmith’s Dream On.
The dance ensemble Dreams Team, comprising students aged 9 to 16, showed great poise for a group with virtually no stage experience.
There were some powerful moments on Saturday. Mauriello sang an original song, Into Your Arms, which brought tears in the audience.
Rich Smith and his cousin Erin played guitars and sang My Church. It was an astonishing and inspiring performance — less than a year ago, Rich Smith suffered cardiac arrest and was presumed dead for thirty minutes.
Alexandra Monfalcone is a senior at Morristown High School and an actress in the drama program.