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MEF's 4th Annual "Morristown's Got Talent" Receives Rave-Reviews; Raises $35,000
The marquee at the Community Theatre said it all, "4th Annual Morristown's Got Talent! February 23 - SOLD OUT." As 1,300 audience members found their seats, the celebrity panel of judges prepared to face a jam-packed production and a difficult decision. After being selected from ninety auditions, the sixteen talented finalists anxiously awaited in the Green Room for their cues to take to the stage in hopes of winning the the 2011 Morristown's Got Talent!

The comedic duo, Bill Bromberg and John DiDomenico, served as Masters of Ceremonies for the event. Bromberg played the "stooge," as he put it, while DiDomenico spent the evening impersonating a series of famous characters, including Donald Trump, Ozzy Osbourne, Dr. Phil, Austin Powers, Dr. Evil, and Guy Fieri. "This year was unique as the MCs creatively referenced Morristown sites, history with comical out-of-towner impressions of Morristown throughout the evening, " said one audience member. "They connected the acts to our great town and subtly reminded us of the reason we were supporting our Morristown Educational Foundation. It made us proud to be part of this night in Morristown."

During the three-hour talent competition, singers, dancers, and musicians took the stage and performed for the top three awards. "The experience of performing in front of 1,300 people was surreal," said Dane Glynn after the show. Dane, a Morristown High School sophomore, performed Caro Mio Bene (My Dear Beloved) by Giuseppe Giordani.

The hometown crowd cheered on all the talented performers, but Morris School District music teacher, Brad Marullo, who played an original guitar instrumental, had a special fan club who held up Mr. Marullo masks on sticks to support their favorite act.

Another crowd favorite, Joey Gatto, a junior at Morristown High School, helped educate audience members on the art of beat-boxing, with running dialogue about how he developed his unique talent. "Beat-boxing is the repercussion of percussion, with your mouth," Gatto explained. After show Joey recalled how, "After all the performances everyone would clap and hug you and make you feel special. It was a really great experience."

Accomplished pianist Jenny Shih performed Frederic Chopin's Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35. "It was such a great privilege to be able to perform in the theatre in front of over 1,000 people." Jenny said after the show. "Despite playing in numerous concerts beforehand, I can say that my performance in Morristown's Got Talent! was one of the best and most memorable."

Robert Matarazzo, who works at the Morristown AT&T store by day and at night performs in clubs throughout the state, performed Crying by Roy Orbison, after dedicating the song to his fiancee and telling the audience that if he won, the prize money would be spent on his upcoming wedding. "MGT could not have been a more professionally run event, top to bottom," Matarazzo said. "I'd like to shine the spotlight on all of the truly deserving people that made MGT possible. EVERY one of you should be applauded by a sold out Morristown Community Theater! It would be well deserved."

After fifteen acts, the last duo took the stage to wrap up the show: a brother and sister act, teens Stasz and Junia Klinge-Loy. The piano and violin duet of Czardis by Vittorio Monti left the audience speechless. "So much talent, from such young people!" exclaimed one fan after the show.

The panel of judges: Guy Adami from CNBC's Fast Money, opera soprano Karen Notare, Mayo Center Arts Production Director Jonathan Pierce, and singer-songwriter Blaire Reinhard faced a difficult task to award the top three prizes. While the audience waited for their decision, they got a surprise performance. Vincent Morreale, chair of the Morristown's Got Talent Steering Committee, told the audience that the show was not quite over. "This group of folks has been backstage together for five hours," he said. "They've become very close, and they've come up with something. They want to perform for you one more time."

Then, with Robert Matarazzo and Brad Marullo on guitar, Imperfect Paradise's Ryan Yobs on bass, Stasz Klinge-Loy on violin, Joey Gatto beat-boxing in accompaniment, and the remaining contestants singing along, an impromptu performance of Journey's Don't Stop Believin' brought the show to an uplifting close. The audience enthusiastically joined in on the second verse after an encouraging wave from performer Dermot McPeake.

Finally, the judges announced their decision. Third place and a $250 prize went to Morristown High School senior Jenny Shih. Second place, with a $500 prize, was awarded to singer and guitarist Robert Matarazzo. First place, with a $1,000 prize, went to the classical duo Stasz and Junia Klinge-Loy.

In the lobby, following the show as the audience made their way out into the cool night air, the words "fabulous," "unbelievable," and "best show by far," could be heard. After raising $35,000 for the Morris Educational Foundation and selling out the Community Theatre for a second year in a row, the planning committee already has their eyes on next year's 5th Annual Morristown's Got Talent! show. There is talk that rehearsals are already being planned for next year's auditions to try and top this fantastic show.

Morristown's Got Talent! 2011 Performers:

Visit the "Morristown's Got Talent" Website »

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