BWW Blog: Amanda Grillo - Theatre Club Corner: An Inside Look at CABARET III

Music is in the air at the University of New Haven as the Theatre Club prepares for their third cabaret. The tradition started last Fall under the direction of Robert Vaccaro, who also directed the Spring Cabaret "Cabaret 2: Electric Boogaloo". Upon Vaccaro's graduation, the Cabaret was passed to the direction of two time cast member Jared Reynolds. I had the pleasure of speaking with the director, choreographer, and a few cast members about their experiences with Cabaret III.

Transitioning from center stage to the director's seat, Jared Reynolds has also been pulling double duty, portraying Doc Gibbs in the main stage opener of Our Town. He shared with us what the transition has been like:

"Surprisingly difficult. Not that I'm having a bad time or a hard time, far from it! I love directing and this cast is doing a wonderful job and I am so proud of them. The hardest part for me about transitioning from cast to director is that I want to be up on that stage singing with them."

A good deal of the Cabaret cast and crew are doing double duty. About one third of the people involved in Cabaret III are also involved in Our Town to some capacity; including the stage manager, Jessica "Cookie" Brownstein, who is one of the assistant stage managers for Our Town. Dalimar Irizarry, featured singer in Cabaret III and Louella Soames in Our Town, shared her advice on balancing two shows and life at once:

"Oh boy. Well, sleep is essential. And trust me, I get the idea of "I have to learn lines and songs and dances and do homework and work and at some point ingest something that isn't caffeinated, sleep is for the weak anyways". But sleep is so crazy important. The hardest thing is having classes, work, and rehearsal for both shows in one day. But if I can do that and still somehow managed to get at least 6 hours of sleep in (which is heavenly compared to the old 4 I was getting before I realized I was losing my marbles) then so can anyone else. You'll learn the lines, you'll sing the notes, you'll nail the choreography, you'll pass the exam. But you need sleep."

Irizarry is also a three time cast member, having been featured in the past two cabarets as well. She disclosed to us what it's been like to help continue the tradition:

"It's been an amazing journey of self discovery, as corny and cliché that may sound. I've grown so much as a performer; from ensemble to soloists and vocal coach to featured singer there is no stone unturned for me (except for dancing but that's for the best). The techniques and styles I've learned from all three cabarets have been so helpful as a performer even outside of the cabaret world. As a theater major, specifically at the University of New Haven, it's also really cool to know I'm a part of a new tradition. From the first cabaret to now, seeing the changes in the people and program and event itself only pushes me to learn as much as I can, sing without abandon, and believe in myself. The cast has proven to be family, each time old and new faces emerging and it is probably my favorite part."

In discussion with first time cast member, Greg Pease, who also plays Simon Stimson in Our Town, he shared what his experience has been like joining the cast:

"It's been a lot of fun actually! I don't think I've enjoyed rehearsals as much as I do with this show. I had hoped to gain a lot of experience from this for the future and broaden my skill set. Everyone is working really hard and putting their all into their jobs. So I have to match that intensity and even go beyond that to put on one hell of a show!"

This production has definitely been one for new experiences. Angelina Meccariello is a featured dancer in the production and this will be her first time on stage since high school. In her time at University of New Haven, she has taken several behind the scenes opportunities. She is currently assistant stage managing Our Town as well. Meccariello shared with us what it was like to return to the stage:

"It's been great dancing on stage again! I used to dance in all the musical in my high school, but since I got to college I have only been backstage. Being able to have this experience with all of my friends helps combat the stage fright that keeps me backstage. I love working with the great cast, choreographer, and director and I can't wait to see all the great things that are coming together for Cabaret III!"

Choreographer, Rhiannon Ferronetti is also making a transition from on stage to behind the scenes. She shared with us what the experience has been like:

"Going from being on stage in the past to now being behind the scenes was a bit more difficult than I had expected. Having danced my entire life, it's hard not to be onstage moving along with the dancers. On the other hand, it has been a fantastic learning experience. This is the first show I have choreographed on my own, so I really got to explore my personal style and find where my strengths and weaknesses are."

Now I know what you are thinking...."What can I expect when I come see Cabaret III?" Ferronetti and Reynolds have the answer for you:

"This semester's cabaret is different than any we've done in the past. The dances are sassy and fun, or emotional and intense, as I really tried to pull from the heart of each song when choreographing the dances." - Choreographer Rhiannon Ferroneti

"We hope that audiences will come to the Cabaret expecting to see a great show with some amazing songs and some talented singers. We also hope that they leave the Cabaret with their expectations well met and surpassed because this cast is putting their heart and soul into the Cabaret and it shows in their voices and dances."- Director Jared Reynolds

Cabaret III comes to the Bucknall Theater October 7th at 7:30pm and October 9th at 1:00pm. Admission is free.

We hope to see you there!

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