Knock knock?
Anyone there?
Hello?
I awaken with a jolt, bound to the waterlogged chaise of room 427 and illuminated only by the dim light of a laptop’s blank screen. What month is it? What year is it? And whoever tied me up in the basement of Cabaret could have just shot me a text. My eyes shift into focus on the page. Fear sets in my chest as I realize my greatest wish has finally come true: I am the new social media chair of Cabaret Theatre.
Be careful what you wish for, folks.
The powers that be have determined my fate, naming me next in a lineage of talented comedy writers desperately dedicating hours to devising titles good enough for a Facebook share. And now, after a year of Cabaret sitting dormant due to… well… everything, it’s time we dust off the old blog and get back to it.
Hi everyone.
Welcome home. :)
Before we begin, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Katie. No, not that Katie. I’m the second Katie to take up this mantle, after our iconic #marketing expert Katie Siegel had passed her torch down to last year’s chair, Sophie. These two had been incredible assets to our company that we will forever thank them for. Via social media, of course, as I have always been too intimidated to approach either one of them. But never fear! I reached out to our much less threatening, mild-mannered former chair David Novis for advice on this blog’s future:
Now, you may be thinking, “Alright, that’s enough contributing to the lore of Cabaret’s marketing team. What the what is happening at Cabaret Theatre these days?!” And to that I say, that’s fair! While I know we’ve all been anxiously anticipating the reentrance of our blogs, I dare say we anticipate even further the shows they promote.
So, what is Reaching Out: a Musical Revue?
Let’s break it down.
If you’re just joining us here at Cabaret, welcome! Every year, the inaugural show of the season is our musical revue. We at Cabaret team up with our friends at the Livingston Theatre Company to pull together a show consisting of thematically-linked songs that delve into the topic of choice. That’s basically what a revue is. We play by some fast and loose rules, we know. But in essence, it’s a night of music and dancing and singing, and who doesn’t love that?
Our revue this year is brought to you by sophomore Ashley Gonzales, who both penned and directed this production. The title, Reaching Out, is a nod to the themes of acceptance and community seen in the show.
I spoke to sophomore and musical revue cast member Kaila Parkin about this.
Kaila Parkin sings the Reaching Out finale with fellow cast member Chantel Amissah
“It’s about the importance of reaching out in times of need and not going through things alone. Honestly it connects to me a lot because this is my first year on campus and this whole production has been really helpful with [me] expressing emotions about being alone, while at the same time making sure I have my own group here,” Kaila explains.
She goes on to say,
“It’s so nice to feel like I belong somewhere. It’s been a really exciting process; not only to get back to theatre for the first time in almost two years, but it’s been so fun to be with people who are just as passionate [as me] about doing a show for the first time and kicking off this season.” -Kaila Parkin, cast member
Ah, yes. It’s true, reader. This show will be the first time Cabaret has opened its doors to the public since January of 2020, in our Spring play “Harvey.” Following that, Cabaret and LTC produced their own entirely virtual seasons. While Cab staples such as the Original Play Festival and the Directors’ Showcase made their debut on the ztage (Zoom stage? No? I’ll workshop it.), many of us missed the dusty blackbox we call home.
Our year hiatus meant all new members of our company went a full year before meeting any castmates in-person. Lindsay Paige, a sophomore, is one of the cast members stepping into the Cabaret building for the first time.
“I did Addams Family [at LTC], but that was only virtual so we didn’t have that full realization of the show. I’m so glad I get to meet everyone… people I never would have met if I didn’t get to do this. So it’s great!”
It IS great!
Much like the show! And you can trust me on that, I’ve seen it as many times as they’ve rehearsed it. Did I not mention that? That’s correct, dear reader! I am, in fact, performing in the revue! I know you’re on the edge of your seat wondering what I look like, what I sound like, whether or not I’m deserving of a tomato-to-the-face during my solo-- All excellent queries that will be answered on Suydam street this weekend.
Now, I understand that I may have shot myself in the foot here. Perhaps you now believe my involvement is a conflict of interest. Perhaps I’m gassing up this show for my own gain. You’d be wise to assume such, but I can assure you that this revue will be well worth your time. I am no unreliable resource! This is journalism, after all! And if the swept away tears of our dress rehearsal guests are any indication, this show is not to be missed.
It’s no secret that the last year has been difficult for us all. I feel as though I left Cabaret pre-pandemic a completely different person than I am now. But that’s the beauty of Cabaret Theatre. We gaggle of misfits will love every version of you. We will accept you, no matter what, so long as you…
reach out.
;)
Reaching Out: a Musical Revue runs September 10th at 7pm, September 11th at 7pm, and September 12th at 2pm at Cabaret Theatre.
Tickets are on sale now: https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/sabo/4785
Visit our Facebook event for more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1179663239205770?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22notifications_tab%22%7D%2C%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22your_upcoming_events_unit%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3A%22plan_user_invited%22%2C%22source%22%3A%2229%22%7D
Production photo credit: Yiraldo Campos