Photo by Gwen King on Unsplash
By Avery Atkins, Contributing Writer
Seniors Tyler Shadle and Chloe Acquaviva have whisked up a new production for Susquehanna University’s Second Stage season called “Cabuffet: A Dinner-Themed Broadway Cabaret.” What originally started as an inside joke, “Cabuffet” quickly led to co-directors Shadle and Acquaviva’s realization that there was a wide variety of food focused musical-theater songs to choose from, and their original dinner-themed Broadway cabaret was born.
Shadle and Acquaviva shared that despite having so many songs to choose from, it was surprisingly easy to select the songs they wanted to include in their hour-long cabaret. Shadle also mentioned that their “cast members’ talents conveniently lent themselves so well to the numbers we chose,” which sets the stage for an impressive showcase. Shadle’s favorite song from this cabaret is sung by Gracie Caiazzo, who he commented is “so incredibly funny.” This song, “Ooh! My Feet,” was originally sung by Pamela Myers in “The Most Happy Fella,” a lesser-known musical that had a brief run on Broadway between 1956 and 1957. Caiazzo is just one of many performers in the show on Friday, most of whom are music and theater majors. However, anyone is welcome to audition for these shows – there are plenty of non-majors in the cast as well.
Though such a large cast makes it difficult for the directors to schedule rehearsals, this talented group of performers has been hard at work since the end of the fall semester. Tyler Shadle and Chloe Acquaviva have been in numerous Susquehanna Theater and Arts productions, most notably “Urinetown” in November of 2021. Even with their considerable acting experience, directing was a new and enticing challenge. Tyler Shadle said that he had “directed two one-act plays before, but this is most definitely the biggest directing project I have taken on thus far.” Despite participating from the opposite side of the stage than they’re used to, Shadle commented that “it has been a pleasure to co-direct this show with such an incredible cast,” and that “it is very enjoyable to get the opportunity to watch my peers perform.”
The co-directors promised, “you will get to hear some incredible singing and have plenty of laughs! The whole premise of the production is pure fun, and you will not want to miss it.”
The performance on Feb. 18 certainly delivered on this promise.