By E. Quinn Evans Staff writer
The student organized production “A Night on Broadway” will be held on Friday, March 24 in Weber Chapel at 7:30 p.m.
Susquehanna students have been focusing their energy in creating a show composed of an assortment of contemporary Broadway hits.
One of the event’s coordinators, senior Benton Felty, said that the production will be a “release of musical energy.”
The concept of devising a cabaret on Susquehanna’s campus first began in the minds of Felty and senior Aaron Ferster, but there are now twelve students involved, all of whom possess a passion for musical theater.
“One day, Aaron and I were hanging out and we were floating ideas for the new ‘Second Stage’ theater at [Susquehanna],” Felty said. “I suggested we do a cabaret and the rest is history.”
Ferster also reflected on the birth of the cabaret.
“Benton and I were just actually sitting around one night and decided to write a proposal to have this cabaret because we don’t have that many musical theater opportunities here at [Susquehana], so we’re very lucky to have this opportunity,” Ferster said.
Students have been working on the musical production for the past three months, beginning last semester and then they “got into full swing when we came back from winter break,” according to Ferster.
According to Felty, the process has included many concept changes, as the performance will now be held in Weber Chapel after it was originally designed to be a coffee house event with food and drink on the stage of Degenstein Campus Center Theater.
After auditions were held, students were then expected to practice on their own, explained sophomore Abby Dawes, the cabaret’s production manager. Performers were given the freedom to choose musical numbers that expressed their full potential.
Ferster said: “The program is all based on the students in the show. We let them choose their own pieces because we wanted them to feel comfortable with what they sing.”
Once they chose their musical numbers, the performers began rehearsing with the pianist, senior Tyler Mariano, who will also accompany them for the show.
Felty said, “It is giving an opportunity for musically minded performers to sing at an event other than one directly sponsored by the university.”
After practicing individually with Mariano, the students will meet once for dress rehearsal and then perform the production.
Ferster and Felty said the theater department at Susquehanna has provided them with many opportunities. Felty described it as “a wild ride” that has enabled him to perform in many shows and get to know a lot of people.
After transferring from Mansfield, Ferster said that his experience has been great and he could not be happier with his choice.
“I feel like a part of the theater family, and I have been given so many great opportunities,” Ferster said.
Dawes can also attest for the opportunities that the theater department at Susquehanna provided for her.
She explained that she has had “the chance to serve as production manager for all second stage events as only a sophomore.”
“Second stage season provides students with opportunities to experiment in the performing world, with things such as the 24- hour play festival, cabaret, Shakespeare productions and student-run productions,” Dawes added.
