Cabaret Night: Not Your Average Talent Show (PHOTOS)

Choral Director, Jen Moss, admits that she loves her job so much, she “can’t believe” she “gets paid to do it.”

There is, however, one very difficult task Moss must carry out: choosing which acts will make the cut and appear in the choral program’s annual Cabaret Night.

When asked about having had to turning away half of the student hopefuls who auditioned for this year’s show, Moss said, “Ugh. Casting is the hardest part.”

The high school’s 17^th Cabaret Night was held on the evenings of November 18^th and 19^th.  The program featured 250 students in 32 performances. Described by Moss as a “team effort” by “hardworking, dedicated students who cheer each other on,” the show was nearly sold out both nights.

As expected, audience members were treated to vocal and instrumental music, dance numbers, and improv comedy. New this year were a magic act and a unique, fast-paced visual experience featuring “glowsticking.”

Cabaret Night offers many students opportunities to reveal talents that have been honed outside the school environment.  Following the show’s traditional opening song, Neha Bhat, Shilpa Bhat, Yamini Nabiar and Rea Savla’s lively Bhangra dancing got the crowd clapping and inspired spontaneous applause.

Alexandra Bookis, Rose Petrozzino and Mariel Ross, performing The  Nutcracker’s Dance of the Merlitons, displayed their ballet prowess with a well-received rendition of the classic piece.

Modern dancers Marisa Bryant, Hannah Simes and Kaleigh Underwood’s interpretation of Florence and the Machine’s  pulsating Drumming Song was impressively choreographed and, in a word, riveting.

Cabaret Night's piano solos were enchanting. Ben Collison presented an original composition. Titled Lucy Dancing, the sometimes joyful, sometimes haunting song was flawlessly executed. Jordan Berry played a beautiful rendition of River Flows.

Alex Groher-Jick’s soulful acoustic guitar solo, Ocean, was captivating. Clearly an audience favorite, his performance appeared to be technically perfect.

Broadway shows were represented by Lucy Dawson and Alisa Laufer’s lively version of Wicked’s What is this Feeling and a trio of singers’ rendition of Spelling Bee’s I Love You Song. Showcasing their dramatic skills as well as their vocal gifts, Mariel Ross, Kaleigh Underwood and Ryan LaForest poignantly inhabited the characters of a young contestant and her parents as the girl longs for their affection.

Ryan LaForest and David Nicholson, accompanied by Jamie Utt on guitar, sang The General. The blending of the duo's voices in service to this serious ballad about a conflicted officer was heartfelt and compelling.

Other noteworthy vocal performances that captured their lyrics’ angst included Nicole Rassulo’s Rolling in the Deep, Hannah Hoffman and Ilana Held’s Missing Half and Testostertone Jack Shaffery’s 2 Atoms in a Molecule solo.

Rhythm of Love was performed by Christian Freitas on ukulele and Max Rosenzweig on drums. Their simple arrangement was in keeping with the Plain White T's popular version of the song. 

The a cappella groups chose energetic numbers that kept the audience entertained.  Most noteworthy was AB Masti’s spirited arrangement of Ainvayi Ainvayi.  Performed in Hindi by this newly-formed student group, the song was a highlight of the show.

The choral program’s elite Madrigal Singers performed as a group in the show’s first half. Later, they  split into their alter-egos and staged two separate numbers.   The Madri-girls performed a fun version of Kim Possible. The Madri-guys’ interpretation of Wizard of Oz in 5 minutes, a comical recounting of the story’s plot, was a show-stealer.  Moving frenetically through the rapid-fire narrations and mini-songs, the costumed young men gave a hilarious performance that inspired much laughter.

Cabaret Night’s format allows student musicians to break out of their customary roles.  Danika Teverovsky, a drum major in the marching band who spends most of the fall without her saxophone in hand, played it prominently during two acts.  Sarah Gabrielli, a 13 Fish newcomer, stepped up to the microphone for her first solo during the group’s rendition of Wavin’ Flag . Madrigal Rosie Quinn added “rapper” to her resume.

For the show’s penultimate act, Miss Martins’ Basement took the spotlight. After inviting audience members to leave their seats and surround the stage, animated lead singer Matt Smith rocked the house with the student band’s original song, Nataly.

Next, students called ABRHS’ Audio-Visual Director Brendan Hearn and accompanist Jeanie Furlan to the stage to thank them for the expertise they lent to Cabaret Night.  After the thunderous applause abated, Jen Moss was summoned. “We are better people and musicians because of you,” the beaming kids told her.

Cabaret Night closed with all of the student performers sitting on the stage,swaying back and forth and singing their signature last song, Good Night. Several seniors were observed wiping away tears.

The audience spilled into the hallway outside the auditorium, buzzing about the talent they had just witnessed.

Bonnie Wilson, in attendance with her 8th grader, Kristina, summed up her assessment of Cabaret Night by comparing it to previous shows.  “They’ve outdone themselves again,” she said.

Those wishing to support the high school’s choral programs by purchasing copies of the DVD or CD from Cabaret Night should submit orders by December 1, 2011. Email Jen Moss or fill out and remit this form.