Morristown's Got Talent Tickets on Sale Friday

It's going to sell out.

That was Board of Education member Ann Rhines' emphatic statement Monday when she told meeting attendees to buy their tickets to the sixth-annual Morristown's Got Talent talent show right away.

Those not wanting to chance it will get their opportunity starting Friday morning, when tickets go on sale to the general public.

The show begins at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Mayo Performing Arts Center. Sixteen performances will compete, with three winners receiving prizes of $1,000, $500 and $250, respectively. Nearly 100 acts competed in December for a place in the event.

Rhines, whose Morris Educational Foundation organizes the annual fundraiser, said this year's performers get early access to tickets and that many have already been snatched. "The show is going to sell out," she said.

Judging the competition this year are Bill Stephney, former producer and managing executive at Def Jam Records and Public Enemy; John Ginty, Grammy nominated keyboardist; ; and Michael Spencer Phillips, lead dancer and teaching artist with RIOULT Dance Company. Headline sponsors this year are Morristown Medical Center and Villa Enterprises.

“The Morris Educational Foundation is very excited about our sixth anniversary production of Morristown’s Got Talent," said Fran Rossoff, Morris Educational Foundation board member and chair of the Morristown's Got Talent committee.
"We are proud to give our community’s local amateur talent an opportunity to perform in front of their hometown, and in a top-notch facility such as the Mayo Performing Arts Center.”

Debbie Sontupe, co-chair of the Board of the Morris Educational Foundation called her organization, which has provided financial assistance for over 20 years, "an integral part of the Morris School District and this fund raising event will further the Foundation’s ability to distribute financial and other resources to and for the Morris School District for enrichment programs and other projects aimed at enhancing the quality of education and educational opportunities for students in the district."

Last year, the event raised over $50,000 for the Morris Educational Foundation, Sontupe said.

Purchase tickets by calling 973-539-8008 or online at www.mayoarts.org. Advertising in the event’s playbill to cheer on contestants and to benefit the Morris Educational Foundation can also be purchased. Download forms at www.morristownsgottalent.com.