This year’s Choir Cabaret show has it all, from a singing caterpillar belting R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly” to several energized latin dance breaks.
The show follows three distressed teenagers who cross paths with Mrs. Maginari, an eccentric librarian played by junior Hawk Hendrix. After meeting the teenagers, Maginari makes it her goal to change the student’s stubborn views on life through the power of the written word.
Alice is a gifted bookworm who would rather spend her time preparing her college applications than making friends. In an attempt to add some whimsy and harmless fun to Alice’s life, Maginari gives her a copy of Lewis Caroll’s classic “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” While flipping through the pages, Alice meets the iconic characters of Wonderland and performs songs with Then & Now Choir, who teach her the importance of embracing the unpredictable.
The second set follows Sammy, played by junior Shelby Wilkerson, an insecure slacker who has not yet found her life passion. After Sammy’s mother calls out her lacking grades and motivation, Maginari approaches Sammy with a book about the trials and tribulations men face at sea. While Sammy engrosses herself further and further into the story, she is forced to witness the realistic hardships of the real world by a group of sailors played by SRO Choir, on of which being junior Emma Jones. As her second year in SRO, Jones says that Cabaret is her favorite event of the year. “Everybody in Choir loves it,” Jones’ said. “When Walsh reveals the theme, we all get very excited. The audience is always amazing, and they usually cheer after every solo. During huge dance numbers or ballads, nobody isn’t having a good time.” After numerous “sea-themed” songs, Sammy ultimately finds enjoyment in having a sense of purpose after singing among the sailors.
After intermission, the show wraps into the final full set, where Tom, a lovesick romantic who is just getting over his last one-week relationship, falls into the pages of a science fiction novel. Upon arriving on a foreign planet, Tom, played by freshman Sebastian Roberts, meets the beautiful alien Venus, played by junior Sonora Vozos. Roberts is thankful for the wonderful opportunities the choir department gives him, even if he is an underclassman. “Coming into high school, I didn’t think I would have the chance to be in as much as I have been,” Roberts’ said. “From getting a lead role in FEST to playing a major role in Cabaret, I just feel so honored. In middle school, I thought I would be super lucky if I even got a small solo. Even though I’m not the most experienced, Ms. Walsh has helped me so much with my singing abilities and has helped me grow in ways I didn’t think were possible.” At the end of the third set, Venus shows Tom around her home planet, and an endearing romance blossoms between the two as the combined choirs serenade them.
Choirs have been hard at work polishing their Cabaret repertoire since the beginning of the school year, and have spent numerous hours learning choreography and perfecting tight harmonies. With SRO just coming off a gold rating at the ISSMA Show Choir Contest last weekend and Then & Now receiving a gold with distinction in the Vocal Jazz category, Perry’s singers are some of the best in the state. Tickets to the show are on sale at www.perrymusicals.org for $5. Performances are on Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. Buy your ticket and strap in, for adventure awaits!
