Morristown Onstage fundraiser returns Feb. 29. See the finalists for annual Mayo PAC show

TV talent shows draw high ratings from coast to coast. But once again next month, on Feb. 29, Morristown will be tuned into a homegrown talent show of its own that has raised more than $1.5 million for the Morris Educational Foundation.

Back for a 17th year is Morristown ONSTAGE, which annually draws a big crowd to the Mayo Performing Arts Center.

Formerly known as Morristown's Got Talent, the event was created to help the foundation distribute money and other resources for enrichment programs and projects in the Morris School District, which serves Morristown, Morris Township and, for high school, Morris Plains.

“This special event is a Morristown tradition and a very fun night out, as we come together to cheer on our community’s great talent”, said Katherine Vizzini, the foundations' chairwoman. “Morristown ONSTAGE is the MEF’s largest fundraiser. We encourage attendees to buy a ticket to the show to support these finalists and to help us 'Imagine the Possibilities.'”

15 finalists for Morristown ONSTAGE

A field of 15 finalists was set following auditions last month at Morristown High School. Eligibility requirements include at least one member of the act who lives, works, studies, worships or receives talent training in the three Morris district municipalities.

Separated into two age categories, the finalists will compete for one of two first-place cash prizes of $1,000 – one for contestants ages 19 and older and one for 18 and younger.

Another $500 prize will be awarded to the “Audience Choice” winner, chosen by text vote at the end of the show. A final $250 Rossoff Rising Star Award for talent training will be chosen by the Morristown ONSTAGE Steering Committee.

Emmy-winning host

Morristown resident and Emmy award winner Tara Bernie will return as host for the 10th year. Bernie, who rose to fame as a correspondent for the syndicated TV series "Access Hollywood," opened a new business, TB Yoga House, in Morristown last year.

Joining her as co-hosts this year will be students from Morristown High School’s Broadcasting Department.

Atlantic Health System’s Morristown Medical Center has once again signed on to be the event’s headline sponsor. A panel of arts and entertainment professionals will judge the competition.

Tickets and sponsorship

Tickets for the talent show range from $35 to $85 and go on sale Wednesday at the Mayo PAC box office at 100 South Street; by calling 973-539-8008; or online at www.mayoarts.org. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 7 p.m.

To become a sponsor or purchase an advertisement in the Morristown ONSTAGE playbill, visit www.morristownonstage.com by Feb. 2.

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Here's the list of performers

18 and younger:

Singers: "The Treble Girls" (Taylor Donnelly and Maggie McDermott), Evelyn Ross, Max Hernandez, Molly Rockwell (with pianist Jini Ettigi), Tara (piano) and Brianna Gumpper, Haniyah Hill (with her father, Rexx), Ari Mandel.

Comics: Naomi Williams

19 and older:

Singers: BreAnna Gladney, Jennifer Flynn Brewer, Laura Ana and Ana Catherine Blanche, Catherine Chen, Jermaine McElwee

Band: The Foster Children Band.

DJs: Xan & Rez Hits (Ryan Kaplan and Marckenny Pierre-Louis).

Historic Morris schools merger

The Morris Educational Foundation celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022. It was founded in 1972 following the historic merger of the Morristown and Morris Township districts as part of a nationwide drive to integrate schools.

At the time, the township had a population of about 20,000, less than 5% of it Black. Morristown had almost 18,000 residents, about a quarter of them African-American, according to court records.

The district serves a student body of about 5,500 with one preschool, three primary schools (grades K-2), three intermediate schools (3-5), one multiage magnet school (K-5), one middle school (6-8) and the high school.

The district student body is now about 45% White, 7% Black, 4% Asian or Asian-Pacific Islander and 42% Hispanic and Latino, according to a 2021 U.S. News and World Report study.

William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com 

Twitter: @wwesthoven

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Morristown Onstage finalists set. Here's who's in big fundraiser