Finalist performers named for Morristown's Got Talent 2015

A diverse group of 16 acts made the final cut and earned the right to perform and compete as the winners of Morristown's Got Talent 2015 were announced on Saturday. They include a talented lineup of musicians, dancers, singers and even a whistler and a poet.

The performers, in alphabetical order, are Amy Albin, Ally Are, Art of Play, Battlefest Nation, Evan Boncelet, The Bottle Openers, Amy and Julia Bozza, BullShark, Grace Flanagan, Allison Gogarty, The Lone Mass, Emmi Long and Jordan Green, Anatasia Prohorova, SteppingSTONE Band, Joe Sodano and FAB 3.

SEE VIDEO: > Finalists http://dailyre.co/1BTWkmy

The finalists will perform on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Mayo Center for the Performing Arts in Morristown. Tickets go on sale Feb. 2 and typically sell out fast.

"Today is getting the acts to meet each other and develop a camaraderie among them," said Debbie Sontupe, executive director of the Morris Educational Foundation. "Then when they see each other again on the night of the show, they're a little familiar to each other. It's kind of nice."

The eighth annual talent show is a showcase for the best amateur talent from Morristown, Morris Plains and Morris Township. Four distinguished professionals from the arts and entertainment field will judge the competition. Over 70 acts auditioned for the show.

New this year will be two grand prize winners, one for contestants over age 19 and one for contestants ages 18 and under. A $500 award will be given to the Audience Choice Winner, which will be voted on during the evening.

"Let me just say congratulations to everyone," said Morristown's Got Talent Chair Kim Pistner. "Over 70 acts tried out and you guys made it. This is going to be another great show, powered by you. We're putting together the best show yet."

A second-place finisher in 2010, whistler Joe Sodano arrived ready to perform dressed in a tuxedo. The Morris Township resident appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leon in 2005 performing bird calls.

"I like having fun and I always loved music and I loved to whistle. I always loved birds and I tried to talk to them when I was by myself. I would hear them and mimic their calls and that's how I got started. I always liked all kinds of music and I'd whistle to it," said Sodano, who performed 'Infernal Galop,' a Can Can number.

"I like doing this for the fun and seeing people's reaction when I'm whistling. But I still get nervous and when you get nervous, lips dry up so I made sure to bring my water."

Art of Play members Domenico Randazzo, Ricky Webber, Tyler Volk and TJ Coon recently made it through two rounds of the Battle of the Bands at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park and will perform there on January 24.

"We performed in 2012 and we didn't do anything," Randazzo said, as the other members of the band laughed. "But Morristown's Got Talent was a good experience. Good exposure."

Piano teacher Anatasia Prohorova was happy to learn she was a finalist after many of her students encouraged her to enter.

"I've been playing piano since I was seven or eight years old. This gives me a goal to practice and in order to produce ultimate results, you have to goals."

This year's Master of Ceremonies and show emcee Tara Bernie explained the five judging categories for each act: poise, stage presence, interpretation, suitability and general overall performance score. Bernie is the senior producer for NBC's Access Hollywood and Access Hollywood LIVE.

"This is a really big deal. You'll start to feel the buzz about it now even in other towns," said Bernie, a Morristown resident. "Over 70 acts tried out and only 16 are left so you should be excited because this is a big deal for you."

Singer Allison Gogarty didn't think she had a chance of making the round of 16, "So I was blown away when I got the call. It's a lot of pressure but I am really looking forward to it."

Morristown's Got Talent is the Morris Educational Foundation's largest fundraising event for the year, earning $70,000 for the K-12 Morris School District at last year's program. According to Sontupe, the Morris Educational Foundation has given more than $1.7 million to schools since it was formed in 1992.

"If I win, I would just be amazed," said singer Amy Albin, a sophomore at Morristown High School. "I wouldn't know what to say. I'd probably celebrate and go out for ice cream."

Morristown's Got Talent 2015 will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25 at The Mayo Center for Performing Arts, located at 100 South Street in Morristown. The show is expected to sell out.

Tickets are $25, $50 or $75 each and go on sale on Monday, February 2 at the Box Office by calling 973-539-8008 or visit www.mayoarts.org.