One More Night of 'Cabaret for a Cause'

The death of Anthony Kariotis in 1995 due to ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease, was a harsh blow to his younger brother Alexander Kariotis. 

But the memory of the elder Kariotis has inspired much of the younger Kariotis's work for the past 15 years.

The latest manifestation of this inspiration is the presentation of a Supper Club-style cabaret show featuring the talent of local performers in the age range of 8-22. The show, titled "It's An Art . . . Cabaret For A Cause," runs its last show tonight at the Woman's Club of Maplewood. (Doors open at 6:45 p.m.; curtain time is 8:00 p.m.)

The show is a joint effort between Kariotis's not-for-profit production company Vintage Gold Productions Inc. and The HK Community Fund Inc.

But first a little background.

Alexander Kariotis has traveled a musical road that few have sojourned. Growing up in Elmhurst, Illinois—a suburb of Chicago—Alexander idolized his brother Anthony. In Alexander's words, Anthony "was eight years older, but was not just a brother but a father figure." Anthony was a singer songwriter with the rock group Gambler which had been signed to a recording contract with EMI America.

Kariotis was also musically inclined and recalled that growing up "our house was always filled with music." Anthony performed in the rock genre and Alexander would initially emulate his brother. However, Kariotis reminisced that his brother "heard something special in my voice" and steered him towards opera performance.

Kariotis pursued training in opera, earning a degree in vocal performance and opera from the Mannes College of Music as well as a Masters in the same from Northwestern. Kariotis also traveled to Europe to study with, among others, Luciano Pavarotti's teacher, Arrigo Pola. Kariotis and his wife Aimee Willis, also a classically trained opera singer, lived and performed in Germany from 1991-1996.

Kariotis and Willis wanted to start a family and made the move back to the States in 1996. It was also around that time that Kariotis began combining his two musical passions—rock and opera—under the banner of Alexander Kariotis and the Rock Opera Orchestra.Kariotis and his wife have three children who attend school in the South Orange Maplewood School District.

In the early 1990s, Alexander's brother Anthony damaged his rotator cuff during a sporting event and had surgery to correct the damage. However, Kariotis explained, "Anthony's arm kept getting worse and worse. The doctors performed a barrage of tests to determine what was wrong. Each test ruled out a different problem," but according to Kariotis, "it took about a year to diagnose Anthony's condition as ALS."

From the time Anthony was diagnosed with ALS until his death on August 30, 1995, Kariotis was struck by the difficulties with which the families of ALS patients must deal. During his brother's 4-1/2-year ordeal with ALS, Kariotis had to negotiate the bureaucracy at his brother's health insurance company. According to Kariotis, the "insurance companies were a nightmare," even with small things "like trying to obtain a hospital bed" for his brother's home.

Kariotis noted that there are wonderful groups raising millions of dollars for ALS research and services, however the goal of Vintage Gold is to provide services and assistance to individual families. "What I want to do is present performances and raise funds for families directly," emphasized Kariotis.

Kariotis is working with the HK Community Fund Inc, the co-producer of the show, to identify the families who will benefit from the fundraiser. HK is also assisting in providing funding to produce the presentation.

Now, the Woman's Club has been turned into a Supper Club reminiscent of the Frank Sinatra era. An original script has been penned by the show director Russ Crespolini and choreography will be provided by Cindy Jung. Kariotis and Willis will provide Musical and Artistic direction, and Martha Ackerman will provide logistical and production support.

The cast of young and talented performers are presenting a musical review that includes what Kariotis refers to as "a mix of Broadway's Greatest Hits." The band is populated by veteran Broadway pit musicians.

A cocktail reception will be held before the show, and dinner and dessert will also be served.

Kariotis, who has done extensive work with area youth including his private voice practice, work at the Papermill Playhouse Conservatory, as well as work with various youth theater productions in Essex and Union Counties, is excited to begin rehearsals this weekend.

The two shows in October are not the end all and be all for Kariotis or Vintage Gold.  Kariotis's ultimate goal is to present two distinct shows a year: a cabaret-style show in the fall and a full-fledged musical in the spring.

Presenting these fundraisers allows Kariotis to satisfy two of his major passions" helping families with ALS and providing youth with the opportunity to showcase their talent.

Said an enthused Kariotis, "I want to showcase kids who can sing and dance their asses off."

Those interested in the various ticket options and or purchasing tickets can go to the HK Community Fund website.