The University of Nevada, Reno’s department of theatre and dance spent their weekend performing their second annual musical theatre fall cabaret, bringing hope to the stage with 26 selected songs from various musicals. Through interactive performances, the cast captured audiences and presented popular Broadway songs to a crowd seated just feet away from the performers.
Starting off strong, the performers began with “Something About This Night,” a selection from “Finding Neverland.” Noah Boston, Hunter Healy, Bellamy Barnes, and Isabelle AuCoin harmonized beautifully, immediately drawing the audience in. “Times Are Hard For Dreamers,” Isabelle AuCoin’s selected solo, followed. Her clear, bright voice and expressive acting, paired with the first audience interaction of the night, raised the bar and prepared the crowd for a night of inspirational performances.
Although performers brought energy to the stage, some technical issues proved challenging. Many of the singers were difficult to hear, as the instrumentals often overpowered their vocals. Jack Holden and Michael Rapisora, the musicians who played the backing tracks for many of the pieces, did a fantastic job keeping up with the performers and utilizing their small area of the stage to its fullest capacity, but giving vocalists microphones or lowering the volume of the instrumentalists for some pieces would have been beneficial.
Of the many ensemble pieces of the night, “A New World” and “Song of Purple Summer” cemented themselves as the standout tracks. “A New World” began with Sophia Rocha’s crisp vocals, and as the number went on, more cast members joined in. By the end of the piece, 10 people harmonized together and sang lyrics that resonated optimism throughout the room. “Song Of Purple Summer” began in much the same way: Grace Logan sang solo at first, and the rest of the cast stood up and harmonized until there was not an empty seat on the stage.
Cabarets are meant to be interactive, and the cast of UNR’s fall cabaret did a fabulous job of including the audience. Genesis Velasquez’s rendition of “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” the classic Whitney Houston song, had every member of the crowd clapping and singing along as audience members were pulled onstage to dance with the performers in a joyful frenzy. “Try Me,” Bellamy Barnes’ solo piece, charmed viewers with fantastic props — a can of cream, perfume to smell and a magic trick with cash — leaving everyone laughing.
Although most of the songs were largely focused on singing or acting, “Positive,” a selection from “Legally Blonde,” impressed theatergoers with its intricate choreography. Juliette Hughes wowed the crowd as she sang for the part of Elle Woods, and her Greek Chorus’ impeccable harmonies and in-sync dancing kept the audience enthralled.
By the finale, “One More Day,” a piece that involved every member of the cast, the crowd had experienced great music and fun interactions. UNR’s fall cabaret reminded attendees of the importance of music in staying hopeful through difficult times and the actors delivered strong performances throughout the night. Nights like the fall cabaret do so much to strengthen community within the arts, and UNR’s theater department delivered an excellent weekend of performances.
