Thomas Becht, 10, will continue a family tradition at Morristown Onstage

Finalist Thomas Becht, 10, at Morristown Onstage 2019 Media Day. Photo by Jeff Sovelove.
Finalist Thomas Becht, 10, at Morristown Onstage 2019 Media Day. Photo by Jeff Sovelove.
0

 

We continue our profiles of finalists in Morristown Onstage 2019:

By Marion Filler

At age 10, Thomas Becht already is on his way to bigger things. And the sky’s the limit.

He sings. He dances. He acts. He has performed on stage recently at Delbarton in the musical Big Fish. His TV appearances include Mysteries at the Museum on the Travel channel, Evil Lives Here on the Discovery Channel, and On the Case with Paula Zahn.

And on Feb. 27, 2019, he will compete for cash and fame against 14 other finalists in Morristown Onstage, at the Mayo Performing Arts Center.

Thomas Becht, 10, is a finalist in Morristown Onstage 2019. Photo: Morristown Onstage
Thomas Becht, 10, is a finalist in Morristown Onstage 2019. Photo: Morristown Onstage

But according to his mother, Kristin Becht, “He’s told us that when he grows up, he wants to be a professional soccer player and do Broadway as a hobby.”

Thomas Becht is a member of the STA Soccer Club in Morris Plains.

“I play everywhere, sometimes I play striker, sometimes I play center defense,” he says. “My favorite player is Troy Deeney on Watford (British Premier League). He’s been on the team for 11 or 12 years. He’s pretty good.”

When he is not at soccer practice or taking lessons at the South Street Studio and the Mayo Center, he is a student at the Normandy Park School in Morristown.

At Morristown Onstage, Becht will perform If Only You Would Listen, from the play School of Rock.

“I really like it, it’s a high energy song,” he says.

Morristown Onstage 2019 posterMore than 50 acts auditioned for this 12th edition of Morristown Onstage, which aims to top last year’s record of $143,000 raised for programs in the Morris School District.

Organized by the Morris Educational Foundation, the competition is open to amateur performers who live, work or study in Morristown, Morris Township or Morris Plains, and to graduates of Morristown High School.

Becht’s enthusiasm is amplified by his older siblings, who are equally precocious. Sister Danielle performed in Morristown’s Got Talent in 2012 when she was just 8 years old.

Brother Bobby, a student at Frelinghuysen Middle School, is in rehearsal for the school play, Annie, and has the role of Daddy Warbucks. He plans to attend Morris Knolls Vocational High School and major in theatre.

Bobby Becht and Danielle Becht after their dress rehearsal of Winnie the Pooh at the Summit Playhouse in 2013. Photo by Juliette San Fillipo
Bobby Becht and Danielle Becht after their dress rehearsal of Winnie the Pooh at the Summit Playhouse in 2013. Photo by Juliette San Fillipo

His brother and sister “were all having a good time and enjoying themselves and Tom didn’t want to be left behind, so he started singing and performing too,” says Kristin Becht.

Their mutual interest has cemented a tremendous bond among the siblings, who are enthusiastically supported by their parents.

“We found a real connection among the three of them,” says their mom. “Through performance and theater, we’ve become very close. I feel very blessed.”

Fifteen top amateur acts from Greater Morristown will compete for cash and glory in the 12th annual Morristown Onstage, on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, at the Mayo Performing Arts CenterTickets: $29-$79. Proceeds benefit the Morris Educational Foundation. Call 973-539-8008.

MORE COVERAGE OF MORRISTOWN ONSTAGE 2019

Thomas Becht, 10, at Media Day for Morristown Onstage 2019. Photo by Jeff Sovelove
Thomas Becht, 10, at Media Day for Morristown Onstage 2019. Photo by Jeff Sovelove

If you’ve read this far… you clearly value your local news. Now we need your help to keep producing the local coverage you depend on! More people are reading Morristown Green than ever. But costs keep rising. Reporting the news takes time, money and hard work. We do it because we, like you, believe an informed citizenry is vital to a healthy community.

So please, CONTRIBUTE to MG or become a monthly SUBSCRIBER. ADVERTISE on Morristown Green. LIKE us on Facebook, FOLLOW us on Twitter, and SIGN UP for our newsletter.

LEAVE A REPLY