There was a whole lot of shakin’ going on at the Masonic Lodge on Thursday, Aug. 6, as The Bayonne Theater Company held its first “Bayonne’s Got Talent” competition, taking a cue from the popular national television show.
Bayonne’s version featured solo singers and dancers, a ukulele-guitar duet, and a spirited rendition of the “I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together” theme song from Carol Burnett’s 1970s variety show.
The competition was sponsored by The Bayonne Theater Company to showcase unknown performers in the city, according to President Adam Semanchick. The new group’s talent show followed its initial arts bash in the winter and an appearance at the Bayonne Hometown Fair in the spring.
“We were the group singing and having fun,” said theater company member Robert Lise.
He said the group’s goal is to bring “big” theater and the theatrical experience back to Bayonne, and that the talent show was a step toward that goal.
Lise talked about the city’s rich history of entertainers, including actor Frank Langella, actresses Sanda Dee and Tammy Blanchard, and Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin, who had been visiting his hometown earlier in the day for a “60 Minutes” taping.
Between 60 and 70 people attended the event.
“As far as I’m concerned, they’re all ‘10s’.” – Dominic Buccafusco
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Judges were George Cummings, vocalist and lead guitarist for Dr. Hook and The Medicine Show, Dominic Buccafusco, teaching artist and stage director; Al Sullivan, former New Jersey Press Association Journalist of the Year; and Gina Irizarry, teacher and arts supporter.
Audience members and judges said highlights of the night included the rousing singing performances of Sharon Fulcinelli; solo hip-hop dances by Ashley Bishop and Selena Kyle; a “Beyond the Sea” rendition by Daniel Mendez Jr.; the ukulele-guitar duet of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and a dancing duet by Evelyn Rue and Tony Alfred to the Shaggy song “Angel.”
Irizarry said she was especially impressed with the Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra tunes belted out by father and son, Daniel Mendez Jr. and Sr.
“I’m not surprised at the amount of talent here, because of the history of Bayonne turning out really successful performers,” said Irizarry.
“As far as I’m concerned, they’re all ‘10s’,” said Buccafusco. “They’re all getting up there, being genuine, and giving you the full measure of their talent.”
Councilman At Large Juan Perez and Second Ward Councilman Sal Gullace attended the event to show their support for the entertainers.
Winners and other performers
Award winners were: First Place: Bill Dautrick and David Hijnacki, Maria DeLuca-Falcon, and Shawn Norton; Second Place: Evelyn Rue, Tony Alfred, and Daniel Mendez Jr.; and Third Place: Jillian Torres, Joseph Vozzella, and Thomas Wentzel.
Other performers included Ashley Bishop, Ty’shawna Bishop, Sharon Fulcinelli, Rosie Landante, Daniel Mendez Sr., Ronald Onion Jr., and Michael Ulrich.
Sponsors and show presenters
Sponsors were: Houlihan’s, “America, The View from the Top,” and Beales Chiropractic Center.
The competition was run by The Bayonne Theater Company, and its officers: President Adam Semanchick, Vice President Robert Lise, Standard Bearer Mary Dunlap-Beales, Treasurer Elizabeth Gerba, and Logistics Liaison Linda Freeman-Rinker.
Joseph Passantino may be reached at JoePass@hudsonreporter.com.To comment on this story online visit www.hudsonreporter.com.