News Guest Writer
Last Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, audiences piled into the PMAC gallery to see Winter Cabaret, directed by Melodie Smulders with help from Paul J. Tines. The annual midwinter hour of song and dance revives the music of Broadway and the Great American Songbook. Audience members ranged from Choate students to the performers’ grandparents.
The performers sang songs with each singer getting a solo of some kind. As the music started playing from Melodie Smulders, one by one, the performers walked out with smiles on their faces. They started off with “It’s a Grand Night for Singing” from Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s “State Fair,” a duet featuring Rachel Johnson ‘09 and Ali Smith ‘09. The song that soon followed, “Whistle Down the Wind” (sung by Deliana Dalton ‘06 and Ali Smith ‘09). Taylor Visoski ‘09 sang “Beloved” from the musical “Kismet” and “Summertime” from Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess.” Next it was “Whatever Lola Wants,” performed by Carolyn Siegel ‘07. The song “Ooh, My Feet,” sung by Alliy Drago ‘08, drew laughs from the audience as she sang of the woes of being a waitress.
Winter Cabaret is focused mainly on love, according to several performers. “I love singing and hanging out with great people,” said Johnson when asked what her favorite thing was about the Winter Cabaret. Many others said the same thing. “I love being in a great environment with gifted performers,” said Mariana Vasquez-Crede ‘09. Visoski said, “the camaraderie and the experience of working with talented people is what I love the best.” Audience member Julia Mellon ‘07 said, “The singing, choreography, and overall energy was thrilling.”
