It’s official: After five fabulous years, Pizzazz!, The Stranger’s annual, citywide, more-fun-than-a-barrel-of-monkeys talent show is no more.

I wish I could give you a splashy reason for the demise, but there isn’t one. Back in 1999, I had an idea to write a play in the form of a talent show; to research the writing of this imaginary play, I imagined I’d need to attend an actual talent show. Then I realized: Why should I devise a show for actors to play talent-show contestants when real talent show contestants are ready and willing to play themselves?

Thus Pizzazz! was born, with the premiere contest taking place at good old Consolidated Works, and all subsequent shows packing the Bagley Wright theater at Bumbershoot. After five years, I’d learned all I needed to know about talent shows, and Pizzazz! was relegated to history.

A moment of silence for five years of jaw-dropping talentwhich is too great to list individually here, so I’ll just name-check some favorites, including the legendary Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players, awesome human beatbox AudioPoet, indie superhero Great Guy, Circus Contraption’s Opera Diva, the dynamite ladies of Tap Explosion, and that adorable adolescent who played a Mariah Carey song on the piano while loudly tapping her foot to the beat.

Of special note is perennial Pizzazz! guest star Dina Martina, from whom we commissioned a Pizzazz! theme song, a wonderful ditty entitled “PIzzazz!” that I’m proud to say is now part of her permanent songbook, claiming a place of pride in the Dina Martina extravaganza that’s been kicking the ass of Provincetown all summer.

Thanks to all who attended and judged and competed. Rest in peace, Pizzazz!