come to the cabaret, old chum!

 

The stage was set with round tables and chairs for the audience, with a few props in the wings for the performers: a stepladder, a small upright piano, some cleaning supplies, and a few chairs.

That was different from any of the other theatre events I've attended at Savannah Arts Academy!

I sat with the Auntie of Judah Axson, one of the singers.

I think this may have been the first cabaret-style event ever for her.

Her brother - the girl's father - was at work, so she had been sent in his stead to cheer the girl on.

I'm glad I was there for her.

During the intermission, we talked about missing our mothers, and also about my three nieces - Christina, Emily, and Hope - who were students there in the early 2000's, in the theatre, choral, and band programs, respectively.

Auntie had graduated from there when it was still called Savannah High School, so that's been a few years.

And the show?

It was wonderful!

Twelve songs in the first half, plus a baker's dozen in the second, with everyone chiming in for "9 To 5" to close out the show!

The highlights for me?

Truman Nash - aka the Devil himself in "Hadestown" - singing Jim Croce's "Working At The Carwash Blues"!!!

I know for a fact that I was the only one there mouthing the words with him!

(smile!)

Then there was Eleyna Stuchell and her perky rendition of "Happy Little Working Song", just like Amy Adams did it in "Enchanted" - and, yes, I sang along!

Surprisingly, I even liked it when Megan Borges sang "Manic Monday" - that was a song that got stuck in my head when I was trying to take a calculus final.

I can laugh about it now, but I was just dying back then!

(smile!)

Journey Campbell was channeling her inner Donna Summer for "She Works Hard For The Money", with Judah Axson and Jasmine Wallace dancing along, too.

Then I heard one from the way back days: "16 Tons"!!!

I was a little thrown off by having a woman - Rosemary Keyes - singing it, but she'd done Frank Sinatra's "That's Life" earlier and did them both well.

Shaylee Smith sat on the piano while Josiah Williams played it, Truman Nash wailed on the harmonica, and Heath Arnett tapped on the drums.

The song?

Billy Joel's "Piano Man" - yeah, I know all those lyrics, too!

(smile!)

Two country hits from the past caught my ear, too.

Megan Borges did Loretta Lynn's "Coal Miner's Daughter" right after Heath Arnett gave an enthusiastic rendition of "Take This Job And Shove It" - woohoo!!!

But the one who really surprised me was Ayobami Bourne, last seen as the tall pushy Senator in "The Curious Savage".

That wasn't a musical, so I'd been surprised to see her tonight.

Well, now I wonder why I haven't seen her a musical - she has a clear, lovely voice!!

I was totally delighted by her "Nice Work If You Can Get It" - and the little dance she did along with it was just perfect!

Speaking of clear, lovely voices, Josiah Williams - last seen in "Hadestown" as Orpheus - did three songs tonight, only one of which I knew at all.

He could definitely be an opera singer.

I wonder where he goes next?

This is his senior year, as it is for Truman Nash, Ayobami Bourne, Journey Campbell, Eleyna Stuchell, James Wirick, and Emory Liang.

Speaking of seniors, Jada Banks was there in the audience.

She'll be going to college in Atlanta, but she'll be in the upcoming "Hairspray" at the Historic Savannah Theatre.

Guess I better start saving up for that ticket!

(smile!)