Morris Plains teen hopes ‘Onstage’ leads to Broadway
This is the seventh in a series of profiles highlighting the finalists of Morristown Onstage, to be held Feb. 24 at the Mayo Performing Arts Center.
A Morristown High School sophomore is poised to deliver a “Wicked” good performance at Morristown Onstage, where she will sing a tune from her favorite Broadway musical.
Charlotte MacMurray, 15, of Morris Plains, will sing "The Wizard and I" from “Wicked,” at the annual Mayo Performing Arts Center talent show.
“I chose this song because two years ago I fell in love with the show ‘Wicked’ and the music in it,” said MacMurray, whose favorite singer is Lindsay Mendez, who played the lead of Elphaba in the musical at that time. “I love how the song tells a story and really paints a picture for the audience.”
MacMurray has been singing since she could speak and started performing with her church choir at five years old. Her first solo performance came two years later when she sang the National Anthem at a Morris Plains sporting event. She’s been performing at community events and nursing homes, and participating in musicals and talent shows ever since.
“I have always enjoyed performing and I am proud of the fact that I am a self-taught artist,” MacMurray said. “Though I already feel I am a winner since being selected as a finalist for Morristown Onstage, I am looking forward to the opportunity to perform at the Mayo Performing Arts Center to showcase my talent to a new, large audience and receive their feedback.”
In September, MacMurray Was selected to perform in a Broadway production at Symphony Space called “Lyrics for Life, NYC,” a benefit concert which raised funds for the awareness of mental health and suicide prevention. And in November, she performed a 45-minute solo set of holiday songs and family favorites at Denville’s annual Holiday Open House. She said it was a thrill to perform “Let it Go” from the movie “Frozen” for the family audience.
“It was an extraordinary experience to see the kids running toward me to listen to me sing,” MacMurray said. “Not only did they come running, but they sang along and danced in front of the stage for the duration of the show. Connecting with the audience this way was exceedingly enjoyable and a real rush of excitement for me.”
MacMurray also studies at Danceworks in Denville, where she is a member of their performance group, “The Moving Company.”
MacMurray decided to audition for Morristown Onstage this year because she felt she’s progressed far enough in her singing that she was now up to the challenge.
Leading up to the competition, MacMurray plans to review her past performances to look for ways to improve, and, of course, practice.
If she wins the grand prize, she plans to either save it for college or visit family in Florida. But the real prize would be gaining the encouragement to further pursue her dream of one day starring in a Broadway production, she said.
“It is my hope that with my vocal and dance talents I will someday make it to the Broadway stage in a smash-hit musical,” she said.
Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com
Morristown Onstage
What: A show featuring the best amateur talent from Morristown, Morris Township and Morris Plains, presented by and benefiting the Morris Educational Foundation.
When: Wednesday, Feb. 24
Where: Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St. in Morristown.
Tickets: On sale to the general public on Feb. 1. Prices range from $25 to $75. For information, call MPAC at 973-539-8008 or visit www.mayoarts.org.