BY CHERYL QUAYENORTEY
On Thursday May 19, students of all grade levels gathered in the OBHS TV studio to enjoy long-awaited performances after a two-year hiatus. The event highlighted the talent of many students as they sang famous showtunes.
Many students who engaged in the return of this event have a long history of supporting musical theater. Julia Reste, a junior who sang at the event, said, “I have had a love for theatre ever since I can remember. My Dad was a huge fan of the musical Les Misérables and played the music all the time around the house. I fell in love with the musicals and the show when I saw it on Broadway at a young age.”
The Cabaret allows students to perform some of their favorite musical pieces on stage with friends even if they are not in the same grade. Amanda Tropea, a senior who performed “Have You Seen My Sister Evelyn?” with her brother explained, “It was honestly very challenging to find a duet between a boy and a girl that wasn’t romantic (Sam and I being siblings and all). My boyfriend actually showed me this song, and Sam and I thought it was so adorable and so perfect. We loved to sing it in the car on the way to school and wanted to show it off.”
For some students, like Mackenzie McGowan, a junior who performed at Cabaret, this marked a step on their path to creating a career in the music industry. “I plan to major in musical theatre or something vocal music related,” said McGowan.
The theater is known as a welcoming community to all people, something this school reflects by holding events like Cabaret and the Spring Musical and Fall Comedy. “Theater is such a bonding experience and something really special to me! It’s such a unique interest to have, and it allows us to bond over our nerves but also passion,” senior Brianna Salica said.
Many attendees experienced their first Cabaret, showing how all students with any interest in the theatre should take the chance to join in on the fun. “As a sophomore who was previously a Freshman through COVID, I wasn’t able to audition for the Cabaret, so yes, this was my first one,” said Sam Tropea. “I would definitely do it again and even try to entice other people to try out for it.”
After the tradition temporarily stopped due to the pandemic, faculty co-advisor Jessica Tosonotti wanted to revive the event. “Mrs. O’Reilly and I first started the cabaret in 2016 as a way for students to showcase their talents all while raising money for the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids organization,” said Tosonotti. “We, unfortunately, had to put Cabaret on pause for the last two years, but we are so excited to bring it back this year. We weren’t sure if we were going to continue the tradition, but the students expressed so much enthusiasm and interest for it to return, and we couldn’t be happier.”
Overall, the students participated in a successful Cabaret show. Although seniors made their final farewell to this annual tradition, many underclassmen will come back for the second act as well as others who could not take part in the event this year.
Posted on 6/14/22
Pictures provided by Sam Tropea
Knight Life 