By Marion Filler and Kevin Coughlin
When Cooper Weil competes in Morristown Onstage on Wednesday, it will be remarkable for two reasons.
For one thing, her parents have no idea where the Morristown Beard sophomore got her commanding voice. “We’re basically tone-deaf,” said her mom, Jennifer.
Even more astonishing, though, will be the mere act of walking onto the Mayo Performing Arts Center stage.
When Cooper was 5, she was paralyzed from the waist down by a rare and deadly autoimmune disorder, ADEM (acute disseminated encephalomyelitis).
If she wins the talent show, Cooper said she will donate some of her prize money to Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick, where she spent two months re-learning how to walk.
“I was pretty sick,” Cooper said.
Fortunately, she is fully recovered and eager to compete against 13 other top amateur acts from Greater Morristown, in the Feb. 26, 2020, benefit for programs of the Morris School District.
Cooper will sing Always Remember Us This Way from A Star is Born.
“I love Lady Gaga, the way she performs onstage, how she puts all her heart and emotion into everything she does. She’s a great songwriter as well,” she said.
So far, the songwriting piece has proven elusive for Cooper, who dabbles on guitar and ukulele. Singing and dancing come more naturally. She surprised her family when she was about 8.
“I was in the car one day with my mom, singing to an Adele song,” Cooper recounted. Impressed, her mother suggested voice lessons. One session, and Cooper was hooked.
“It’s one of the best feelings ever,” Cooper said of performing. “It’s very emotional. I feel proud of myself, usually. It makes me happy.”
The Morristown teen rehearses in town at South Street Dance and at Annie’s Playhouse in Far Hills, under the tutelage of Steven Bednaz, and she has sung in recitals. She will appear in Morristown Beard’s upcoming production of Cabaret.
But Cooper never has played to a house as large as the 1,300-seat MPAC. While she doesn’t scare easily — as her brave childhood recovery attests– she anticipates a few butterflies. That’s a good thing.
“I think it will help me for sure, making me work harder,” she said.
Cooper’s also been prepped by her friend, Kiley Baxter, who won last year’s $1,000 prize with a powerful rendition of I’ll Always Love You.
“All she said was she had a blast, and all the people were very sweet and very supportive,” Cooper said.
She can’t wait for her turn to shine.
“Singing is my passion,” Cooper said. “It’s another chance to do what I love.”
Produced by the nonprofit Morris Educational Foundation, Morristown Onstage is open to amateurs who live, work or study in Morristown, Morris Township or Morris Plains, and to alumni of Morristown High School. From more than 60 acts that auditioned, 14 were chosen to compete on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. Show business pros will award $1,000 to the top youth and adult performers, and the audience favorite will take home $500. Tickets: $29-$79. Proceeds benefit Morris School District programs.
