Author: Kayla Silverstein

Upon attending Musket’s production of Caberet Saturday night, I had no idea what to expect. I knew the title song “Caberet” from an old recording I have on a Broadway Classics CD I bought at a used bookstore. I always thought it was cheerful and upbeat, and, logically, I presumed the musical itself would be just as light, fun, and energetic as the title song I knew it by.

Umm…not quite.

Caberet tells the story of Berlin at a dangerously turbulent time in Germany, directly before Hitler comes into power. It is a heart-wrenching story with multiple layers enshrouded by the rising influence of the Hitler youth. Two of the plot lines include an affair between an American writer and a British dancer and a tentative engagement between a landlady and one of her Jewish residents. It is the most moving and thought-provoking musical I’ve seen since Spring Awakening (a musical about teenagers trying to handle the new changes in their minds and bodies; also set in Germany, coincidentally).

The star of the evening was by far Connor Ryan, a sophomore Musical Theatre major, playing his “dream role” as Emcee. If you’ve never seen Cabaret before, Emcee is the caricatured narrator who directs the audience as the story unfolds. Ryan’s body language, expressions, and singing voice, of course, were positively magnificent. My friends and I were heatedly discussing the show afterwards, and we realized that there were times when Emcee would say something like “Life is beautiful,” but you’d know he didn’t really believe that. We were left wondering – how do we know he doesn’t think that? It was possibly the best role played by a student performer that I’ve ever seen.

That’s the other crazy part of this performance: it was entirely student directed and performed! Even the music director is only a junior Musical Theatre major! Musket is a student-run organization and their performances are always amazing. Last year, I had the opportunity to see both of their musicals (they do two a year), and they were both equally as well done. I think Caberet was the first time I’d seen them do such a deeply moving show, and they pulled it off with the ease of a professional theatre company.

After the performance, I went back to my room and was reading through the director’s note in the program. I think he sums up the essence of the musical quite well. I hope all of you get a chance to see Caberet performed because it is truly a remarkable show:

“With Cabaret, you get a chance to see how human beings survive in an increasingly evil, decadent society. It serves as a warning to those who would rather sleep in a dream of complacency, ignorant to the injustice around them and helpless to the powers above them instead of face their demons head on and do their part to make a change before it is too late.” – Roman Micevic, Director’s Note

Do you know where you’re going to be November 22nd at 8pm? Hill Auditorium! Before you pack your bags to head home for Thanksgiving, check out this concert for FREE. Arts Chorale’s profile on the Arts at Michigan page says: “Our goal is to provide a fun and enriching environment for students who enjoy singing.” Made up of mostly non-music majors, this co-ed, musical sensation has been hard at work all semester and is eager to share their talents. Under the direction of Arian Khaefi this semester, it is sure to be an evening of fun and entertainment. You can learn more about Arts Chorale on their website: http://www.artschorale.com/

Hope to see you all there!

Friday night, my friend Emma and I hurried over to the Union to have our Arts and Eats pizza before an evening of New Orleans jazz. We were greeted with white flags and Mardi Gras beads. The Detroit Party Marching Band was going to perform before the Night in Treme, and it was tradition in New Orleans to wave white flags and wear beads while following the band. So, after eating, we stood out in the forty degree weather listening to the band play. The players were just as cold as us, but full of life and glitter. They played brilliantly, and we all clapped to the beat, waved our white handkerchiefs, and cheered along.

After the outside performance, we went into Hill Auditorium for the main event. Unable to feel my toes and sick of walking all day, I was so excited to just sit there and enjoy the concert. The Rebirth Band had other plans. Right from the beginning, we were commanded to stand and clap along. To be honest, even if you’d wanted to have sat down, the rhythm would have sprung you from your seat. The lively beats and amazingly talented performers made for an entertaining and lively performance. I’ve never been to New Orleans, but I felt like I had been there Friday night. The band members said they play “happy music,” and I think they were pleased to see, and hear from our vigorous applause, that not a single member of the audience was disappointed.

The funniest moment of the evening for me was when the concert was coming to a close, and one of the performers invited people to come and dance on stage while the band performed its final number, admitting that he “didn’t know the rules of the building.” That didn’t stop the audience, however, as many members of the audience heaved their behinds onto the stage. Stomping, clapping, and some swing dancing, the entire stage was a buzzing hive of activity. I don’t remember if I liked the final song or even how it went because I was absolutely hypnotized by all the new activity on stage. Slowly, men dressed in formal suits stepped from the shadows of backstage to guard the performers from their newly acquired fans. A few students got too close at one point and had to be ushered further away from the performers. It was completely hilariously, and, to be honest, sort of weird to see in such a formal setting as Hill.

That brings me to a critique I wanted to remember to mention after experiencing this event: the venue. I felt that the sound was so large and the energy was all encompassing; however, sitting in the balcony, I was so detached from what was happening that clapping and standing felt superficial – almost like clapping along while watching TV. I think a more intimate setting would have vastly improved my experience in the audience; but, of course, Hill’s acoustics can’t be beat, so there really wasn’t anything to complain about, sound wise. And the auditorium was positively packed, so I’m not sure if going into a smaller theater really would have been feasible anyway. Regardless of the logistics, my initial response after leaving the auditorium was that it would have been better in a smaller arena.

Overall, it was an absolutely outstanding, upbeat, inspiring jazz performance by incredibly talented musicians. I’m so glad I went, even if I was more tired from dancing than relaxed from listening after this musical experience.