Cabaret is a Billboard Hit

On Friday October 24th and Saturday October 25th, Frank Sinatra School of the Arts (FSSA) put on it’s annual production of Cabaret. Vocal majors of all grades picked a song pertaining to the theme and would audition and rehearse strictly to be in this event. Of all three shows that were put on, Friday night at 7:00 and Saturday at 2:00 and 7:00, there were a total of 75 performances, solos and groups. The theme for this year’s Cabaret was Billboard 100. The students performed songs spanning the past 70 years, all the way back to the creation of the charts that so many artists would strive to get their songs on.FSSA’s cafeteria was transformed into a themed restaurant. The scenery captured the Billboard 100 style. From the black clothed tables to the waiters dressed in black to the LP records that were used as signs for the table numbers and were also mounted on the walls and on the backdrop of the stage. After each performance the audience would hear commentary over a loud speaker. It was very clear that it was made to seem as if the audience was listening to the radio.

There was definitely a variety in the songs that were picked to be performed. Numbers consisted from Cyndi Lauper to Alicia Keys to Elvis Presley to the late, great Whitney Huston. Some students also showed off their musical talents such as the piano and the guitar to go along with their powerful voices. Every student confidently stepped on the stage with the intention to uphold this unique theme. One of the definite highlights of the show was the final performance by the class of 2015, singing “Ain’t It Fun” by Paramore, indicating that these past four years in FSSA have been a fun experience for them.

Some other performances included a special one of the song “Wings” by Little Mix performed by senior vocal majors Angie Amador, Shanel Bailey, Juliana Betancur, Moriah Combs, Lyric Jacobs, Nicole Gonzalez, Laura Marte, Gabrielle Monge, and Tatiana Montes, which consisted of an upbeat environment and audience participation in dancing, singing and clapping along to the music.

Ms. Best was especially proud of all of her students.

“I thought they were fantastic.” Ms. Best stated. “The freshman and sophomore class were very strong.”

She also said how proud she was of the seniors for handling pretty much everything, from the sound, to the food and the line up of the performances. She was pleased with the vocal majors for attending the shows they did not perform in to support their peers and the show overall. She gives a hand to the stage crew, saying that they get better every year and are a big part of making Cabaret happen.

When asked how the theme of this years Cabaret came about, Ms. Best said that there was a debate, and it was between three other categories: Soul Train, One Hit Wonders, and Disney. Ms. Best stated that they never repeat a theme, except American Songbook, which they try to do every four years in honor of the founder of our school, Tony Bennett. For some of the vocal majors, this was their very first year participating in Cabaret.

“It was definitely exciting. It was not what I was expecting, it was better.” says vocal major Rayssa Goncalves, who performed her rendition of “Locked Out of Heaven” by Bruno Mars, this being her very first year participating in Cabaret.

For the seniors, this was in fact their last year participating in Cabaret.

“It’s gonna be very emotional,” says senior vocal major Shanel Bailey after Saturday’s 2:00pm show. “I probably won’t cry, but I will be very sad.”

As far as the audition process, several students stated that it was nerve wrecking, and the rehearsal process was stressful, but it certainly paid off. It’s safe to say that the students that will be participating in next years Cabaret can’t wait for it to roll around, and the senior vocal majors enjoyed the time while it lasted. All of the students worked efficiently on this years Cabaret to see it turn out to be a success.

– by Jaeda Blair ’15