The Alternative Press

SUMMIT, NJ - On Friday, Oct. 19, the Summit High School’s ninth annual cabaret left the audience members singing and dancing their ways out the doors.

At 7:30 p.m, the first act kicked off with a performance from sophomore Dana Goodstein of the song “Live Out Loud” from the musical A Little Princess. Then Emcees Gillian Dukoff and Chris Melka transitioned into Will Elia’s touching rendition of “No More,” from Into the Woods.

Following “No More,” came another Into the Woods song, “The Steps of the Palace,” wonderfully performed by Brynn Johnson. Next, Keenan Buckley put on a charming Irish accent and sang “Streets of Dublin” from A Man of No Importance. Then came the first duet of the night, “Freedom,” from The Unauthorized Autobiography of Samantha Brown, adorably performed by Abby DePhillips and Isabelle Sacks.

After that, Lynsey Newsham sang a lovely rendering “The Wizard and I” from Wicked.  Following the entertaining performance by Will Berkery of “Marry Me a Little” from Company, came the much-anticipated dance to the song “Lay all Your Love on Me” from Mamma Mia.  Choreographed by Sydney Thornell, the number, which included Greg Archer, Keenan Buckley, Abby DePhillips, Isabelle Sacks, Drew Schwendiman, and Emma Standing, looked professional, yet fun. 

Next came the hilarious rendition of “Been a Long Day” from How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, with Nick Della Sala, Catie Floegel, and Nicole Trone, which evoked much applause. Then, Victoria Abut sang the fiery song, “Buenos Aires,” from Evita. The audience gave an uproar of laughs when Jack LeGoff performed “The Gypsy and Me” from Anything Goes, even taking the hand of a teacher in the audience and presenting her with a rose at one point.

Another wonderful performance was given by Kelly Reynolds, singing “Woman” from Pirate Queen, as well as Abby Beier’s “Stars and the Moon” from Songs for a New World, and Brad Przedpelski’s and Hayley Dalton’s “The Next Ten Minutes” from The Next Five Years.  Finally, ending Act One, the principal of Summit High, Paul Sears, starred in the hysterical number, “Gaston” from Beauty and the Beast, along with Wayne Mallette, the High School’s musical director, Middle School Music Director Dan King and Elementary School Music Director Francois Suhr. 

During Intermission, the audience members took a break and were given dessert trays by the volunteer student servers. Act Two began with a hilarious and relatable number called “The Facebook Song” from Edges, performed by Lynsey Newsham, Cristina Tsanas, Greg Archer, and Will Elia.  Then came two awe-striking performances, Julia Heckelman’s “Just You Wait” from My Fair Lady and Josh Smith’s “All That’s Known” from Spring Awakening.

Two songs from the musical Newsies followed: Rosemary Walter’s “Watch What Happened” and Brad Przedpelski’s “Santa Fe.” After Emily Claypoole enchantingly sang “Someone Else’s Story” from Chess, Claire Fitzpatrick and Katie Suffern performed “If Mama Was Married,” which riled up both laughter and applause. 

Next came three more stellar performances, Ashley White’s “Broadway Baby” from Follies, Keller Gordon’s “Not While I’m Around,” from Sweeney Todd, and “Come To Your Senses” from Tick Tick Boom.  Unfortunately, Gregory Archer could not sing his planned song, “Disappear,” from Burnt Park Boys, due to a sore throat.  However, following Hayley Dalton’s great performance of “I’m Still Hurting,” from The Last Five Years, Wayne Mallette, Summit High’s musical director, stunningly sang “Flying Home,” from Songs from A New World, which left the audience’s jaws dropped to the floor. 

Cristina Tsanas then beautifully performed “The Life I Never Led” from Sister Act.  Finally, after a heartfelt speech from both Wayne Mallette and Anne Poyner, drama director, of watching the present seniors they’ve taught grow as both performers and as people, all of the seniors involved in the program sang “Seasons of Love” from Rent. 

Claire Fitzpatrick, one of the few freshman who sang in the show, voiced “It was such an amazing experience to perform in Cabaret because I’ve grown up seeing my sister on the stage and once I finally got up there, it was so exciting!”

Juliana Rustum, a freshman at Summit High, who volunteered to serve food and drinks to the audience, while getting to watch at the same time, on the other hand, announced, “It was such a great night.  There was so much talent, and the whole show was put together really well.  Though being in the audience was fun, the show made me want to perform onstage next year!”  Overall, Cabaret was a show worth seeing, and everyone had a marvelous time.