Crooners Brighten Up Dreary Winter Students Prepare for 12th Annual Winter Cabaret
By Caroline Fitzpatrick ’10
News Reporter
Choate’s 12th annual Winter Cabaret will be holding four performances this year: 7:30 p.m. on January 24th, 25th, and 26th, and 2:00 p.m. on January 27th. The musical performance stars twelve Choate students who will sing a variety of songs from different Broadway productions.
To participate in the Winter Cabaret, students auditioned in the PMAC recital hall. Prospective performers came with a musical piece memorized and ready to perform. The musical pieces chosen were Charlie Brown’s “Happiness” (for altos) and Kismet’s “Baubles, Bangles and Beads” (for sopranos). After auditioning and being tested for vocal range, twelve students were picked to perform: Marian Firke ’10, Kyra Lammers ’10, Yatta Zoker ’10, Julia Discenza ’10, Sarah Humphrey ’09, Leah Rosen ’10, Akanke Small ’08, Taylor Visoski ’09, Lauren Provini ’08, Bailey Bennett ’10, Shira Hereld ’11, and Angela Lee ’10. Some have performed in the Winter Cabaret before, but the majority of the participants are new to the experience.
Rehearsals Well Underway
Since before winter vacation, these twelve students have practiced every day from 3:30 to 5:30pm with director Paul Tines and pianist Melody Travis, who comes from a local Wallingford elementary school to assist with the performance. The result is a highly-anticipated performance featuring many beloved Broadway favorites including a medley from “Beauty and the Beast” and the song “Popular” from the hit musical Wicked. Rehearsals have been going well and the members of Winter Cabaret 2008 are all extremely excited for their upcoming performances.
When asked to identify their favorite part of the experience, many had a hard time choosing just one. Fourth former Angela Lee said, “My favorite part of Winter Cab is being able to express myself to others, as we put our emotion and heart into each and every song we deliver to the audiences.” Leah Rosen, also a fourth former, is looking forward to the final performances. “My favorite part of Winter Cabaret is watching everything come together. We worked hard on all the music and the choreography, and now we get to watch it turn into a great show,” she explained.
Favorite Song Hard to Choose
Choosing a favorite song proved difficult as well. Fourth former Bailey Bennett replied, “I really like all of the songs, and I think we have a good variety.” Eventually, "Hushabye Mountain" from the musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang emerged as the song the members are most excited to perform. The Winter Cabaret is shaping up to be a “must see” this winter, and students—both in the Cabaret and not—are excitedly awaiting the performance. Yatta Zoker, another fourth former, captured the feeling of Winter Cabaret, saying, “I just love the idea of being in a cabaret. What could be better than dancing and singing to a variety songs from different shows that I love?”
