Life is a cabaret
Students bring modern flare to annual show
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RONAN – As the lights dimmed, vocalists in bright, shiny blue costumes emerged from the shadows. As they began to make their way to the stage through the audience, students started singing their theme song, “Cabaret.” After months of polishing their act, the Ronan High School show choir took to the stage this past weekend to perform their 29th annual Cabaret at the school’s performing arts center.
Students didn’t disappoint as they attacked each song with excitement and energy, receiving a welcome applause after each act. The show consisted of multiple song-and-dance numbers, some involving the entire group, while others showcased the solo performances of several brave students.
Midway through the first act, high school performers turned the stage over to the K. William Harvey Elementary students. The youngsters sang a pair of songs, one of which was about how much they love soup.
The show was not only fresh with different genres of music, but students also brought a modern flare to the show. Senior J.J. Tanner surprised the crowd as he emerged from a small box dressed as a Renaissance joker, followed by break dancing to a modern beat.
The audience was entertained with a combination of old and new, as the choir would immediately return to a heart-warming solo of “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz, sung by Andrew Crenshaw, with Collin Hardy on guitar.
Midway through the night, an intermission was held in the cafeteria, which was lit with thousands of twinkling lights amid shrubbery.
“We wanted this to represent a walk through the park on the way to the theatre,” show choir mom and volunteer Mona Linse said. “This is one of the prettiest displays we have created for the show in awhile.”
Cathy Gillhouse, who directed and choreographed the show says this is the highlight for their program each year.
“I began the Cabaret 29 years ago,” Gillhouse said as she welcomed the audience. “I never imagined I would create such a monster.”
A monster, maybe. Successful, undoubtedly. Gillhouse anticipated both Friday and Saturday evening shows to be sold out.
According to Gillhouse, the students begin learning the music in the fall, and progress to choreography during Christmas break. The group then goes on tour to polish their act before bringing it back to the community for their annual year-end show. This year students traveled to Denver, Billings, and several senior citizens centers. A video of the students’ performances in these places was shown to audience members at the beginning of the show.
“We don’t just sing on these trips,” Gillhouse said, “we also went to a hockey game, and saw the ‘Chicago’ musical while in Denver.”
Cabaret ticket sales will help pay the many expenses incurred during the group’s tour and for the Cabaret event itself. Remaining proceeds will go to the music department fund.
Gillhouse says she is thrilled with this years event.
“It gets so much better every year,” she said. “This has become a big deal for the community, even for the valley.”
