What do you want to be when you grow up? Friday’s cabaret answered the question with music.
Fill in the blank: when I grow up, I want to be … famous? A star? In movies? On Friday night, the Boston College Musical Theatre Wing provided its own comical array of responses, during the “When I Grow Up” fall cabaret show. Despite the show’s name, the Pussycat Dolls were nowhere to be found—rather, the show took a comedic approach to answering the question, since we’re not grown up just yet.
Founded just last year, the Musical Theatre Wing provides opportunities for students interested in musical theatre to perform in various ways—from cabarets and shortened compilations to volunteer service performances and workshops. “We felt it was important to give those who love performing and love musicals a chance to do theatre on a low-commitment basis,” said Karalyn Hutton, the group’s on-campus coordinator and A&S ’16, in an email. “That’s why our auditions are open for any student at BC, especially those who may have done theatre in high school or who have never had the chance to sing.”
Both new and seasoned performers took the stage at the Bonn Studio on Friday, drawing laughs and constant applause from the small but rambunctious audience. If you’re still wondering what you want to be when you grow up, take a break from LinkedIn and see what the students have to say—or rather, sing—about the future.
Back to the Avenue
The show began with a flashback to last year’s highly successful musical Avenue Q, but this time, sans puppets. Ryan Cooper, A&S ’16, opened the cabaret with a rendition of “What Do You Do With A B.A. In English?” but substituted English for theatre—more appropriate given the nature of the performance. The song hit a little too close to home, as Cooper sang about the “big, scary place” that is post-grad life, when paying bills is no longer something that just your parents do.
Samantha Goober, president of the Musical Theatre Wing and A&S ’15, brought it back to childhood with her performance of “My Party Dress” from Henry & Mudge. With a sparkly pink dress and flouncy pigtails, Goober perfectly embodied the character of a little girl, alternating between shy whispers and the loud and proud declarations of a child prodigy with dreams to be in the FBI or CIA. Following Goober, some new talent arrived on stage: Noelle Scarlett, A&S ’18, took on the bold Roxie Hart from the musical Chicago. With a strong, sassy stage presence, Scarlett left us without a doubt that people will be “waiting in line to see Roxie”—and Scarlett’s own future performances, for that matter.
Married Life
Shukra Sabnis, LSOE ’16, put a twist on the traditional “happy marriage” by singing “Somewhere That’s Green” from the musical horror-comedy Little Shop of Horrors. As a couple sat at a table in the corner of the stage, staring longingly into each other’s eyes, Sabnis’ lyrics provided a sadly comical contrast to the scene: “I know Seymour’s the greatest / But I’m dating a semi-sadist,” and “Between our frozen dinner / And our bedtime, 9:15 / We snuggle watchin’ Lucy / On our big, enormous 12-inch screen.” When Sabnis finished, the couple rose from the table and came to the front of the stage, showcasing the other side of marriage with a duet performance of “Therapy” from Tick…Tick…Boom! Kate Weidenman, LSOE ’16, and Jared Reinfeldt, A&S ’16, went back and forth with a fast-paced, circuitous argument about their feelings. Just one snippet of the song: “I’m saying I feel bad, that you feel bad / About me feeling bad, about you feeling bad / About what I said, about what you said / About me not being able to share a feeling.” Try saying that three times fast.
Life of the Party
The cabaret concluded the way all great life-events should: with a grand old party. Julianne Quaas, A&S ’15, stepped out in her leather leggings and heels, commanding the room for her lively performance of “The Life of the Party.” With a carefree, seductive attitude, Quaas had the attention not only of the audience, but also of the three guys in robes hanging out behind the curtain. Soon enough, Quaas joins them backstage—leaving the action to imagination—and the boys later stepped out to embrace their inner Jersey Boys for the song “December 1963 (Oh, What a Night).” Audience members clapped and bopped along, as the performance blended seamlessly into the full-cast finale to Matilda’s “When I Grow Up.” Reverting back to children’s wardrobes, the cast members united for a celebration of youth—perhaps suggesting that maybe we don’t have to grow up just yet.
Featured Image by Emily Sadeghian / Heights Editor
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