Bayonne has talent

Residents compete at local show

For the second consecutive year, the Bayonne Theater Company held its “Bayonne’s Got Talent” show at the Story Court Branch Library on Saturday, November 19, with about 25 residents coming out to showcase their performance skills, and 50 in the audience.
Steve London co-hosted the show and performed a rendition of American Pie. “I try to add music to whatever I do with the theater group,” he said. “This time, I got two-thirds of the way through American Pie and I lost some lyrics in my head. The crowd helped me out and it was a lot of fun.” The crowd forgave him, and asked for an encore.
Libraries and talent shows normally do not cross paths, but this library has an elevated stage in a room that can hold 220 people, which Adam Semanchik, president of the Bayonne Theater Company, said is underutilized. As always, he was happy to jump on the opportunity.
“The auditorium was better than a lot of spaces we used before,” said Semanchik, who used the stage again for a magic show this past weekend.

The performers

Maria DeLuca, who works at the Polish American Home in Bayonne, won both last year and this year, performing “You Know I” by Amy Winehouse. DeLucabrought her daughter, Gianna, 13, this time, who sang “When We Were Young,” by Adele and performed a guitar rendition of “Mad World” by Gary Jule. Gianna won the children’s contest.
“To see mom do it first makes her a little less nervous,” said Maria, adding that her daughter later brushed off the stage fright. “She was joking, ‘you’re lucky there was a child division because I would have beat you in the adult division.’”
Gianna has performed at the Groove on Grove Street in Jersey City with a guitar group. Her older brother plays bass and younger brother is learning drums. Maria DeLuca said, “People tell me we should start a family band. We have all the pieces.” She said, however, it’s not likely to happen, at least until her eight-year-old son masters the drums.
Daniel Mendez normally performs karaoke at the Polish American Home on Saturdays, but this weekend he took his act to the library, along with the sideburns, wig, and white sparkly suit. “Yes, I am a huge Elvis fan,” said Mendez. “A lot of people say I sound like Elvis. Even my daughter tells me.” Mendez performed “The Wonder of You” in complete Elvis garb; he was received very well by the crowd. “Even though I didn’t win anything,” said Mendez, “I had fun.”

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“A lot of people say I sound like Elvis. Even my daughter tells me.” – Daniel Mendez
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Local attorney, Matt Kopko, won the miscellaneous portion of the show for his monologue from “A Few Good Men,” in which Jack Nicholson famously exclaimed, “You can’t handle the truth!”
Kopko said that most people were singing and that he “just wanted to do something more dramatic,” and with the current state of politics, he found it appropriate. “One of the central themes [in the election] was American weakness versus American strength,” said Kopko, juxtaposing the contentious election with Jack Nicholson’s character in the film. Kopko performed in musicals in law school and dedicated his performance to our servicemen and women.
Semanchik said this show was better organized than last year’s, noting the Bayonne Theater Company committee has grown from only a few people a few years ago to more than 25 now. “We’re a lot more organized now,” he said.“It used to be like running around with our heads cut off.”
The Bayonne Theater Company plans on holding the talent show again next year and bringing back the Renaissance Festival in July. An American Revolution re-enactment may be in the cards for the near future, according to Semanchik, but the organization is still working out the details.

Rory Pasquariello may be reached at roryp@hudsonreporter.com.

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