The intimate audience of family, friends and fellow performers applauded as seniors Sarah Sakr and Paul Smith finished their rendition of “You Stole the Show” by Sienna Spiro, which concluded GDS’ fall Cabaret.
The production, which took place on Oct. 24, featured musicians, singing and even tap-dancing. Co-heads Sakr and senior Aron Moldabek-Machado raised money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS with a bake sale during the show’s intermission.
“[Cabaret is] important to me because I love singing, and so being able to share that with my community, I find that very valuable,” Sakr said. “It’s also a very safe environment.”
“It’s extremely important to have an opportunity for students that aren’t in the arts to have their opportunity to express themselves musically,” faculty advisor and jazz teacher Brad Linde said. “It’s important for family members, faculty and students to be able to come out and experience it.”
“You get such a confidence boost as a performer when you’re singing, and people start cheering, or you see people with lights,” Sakr said. “I like being in the crowd, too—this year I got little finger lights for people in the crowd to participate.” Audience members waved the finger lights throughout the show.
Sophomore Ella Kang opened Cabaret by singing “As the World Caves In” by Sarah Cothran and dedicated the song to a family member who recently died. “Music is my outlet,” Kang said. “Coupled with the smaller atmosphere [at Cabaret], I think I’m ready to perform for people in a way that I can pour more of myself into this.”
“Most people who come to fall Cabaret are the performers, so it’s just a nice opportunity to see your peers do what they love doing,” junior Natalie Ogden said.
Junior Joy Edwards performed a solo rendition of “A Million Reasons” by Lady Gaga. She said singing in front of a crowd was less nerve-racking at Cabaret than other settings because of the small audience. Edwards said because Cabaret is on a “smaller scale” than other GDS productions, performers are able to connect with each other about shared interests. “All performance opportunities are great, but I think Cabaret is probably my favorite,” Edwards said.
Ogden sang “Quiet July,” an original song about coping with loss. “I wasn’t stressed, which is kind of an odd thing,” Ogden said after her performance. “People are still going to be supportive of what you want to do, which is really nice.”
Freshman Mark Light sang “Sailor Song” by Gigi Perez. “It’s actually my first time performing something that’s a non-classical piece,” Light said. “I was kind of nervous, but it was such a good experience, and everyone was super supportive.”
Freshman Eliana Elias said Cabaret was her first time performing as a singer. “I always thought I was an instrumentalist, but Cabaret was really fun,” Elias said after performing Radiohead’s “Creep.” Sophomore Maceo Lindsay played guitar, and freshman Stella Rosenthal played the drums. “Even if you think you’re not talented, it’s amazing.”
Sakr said she and Moldabek-Machado wanted to encourage higher turnout at the next Cabaret in the spring. “Cabaret can sometimes be overlooked, but it’s a really fun event,” Sakr said.