Author: Taylor-Anne Esparza
Packed to the brim, the audience in Bird Studio was enthused last Friday night by the Musical Theater Company’s second annual cabaret, titled “An Enchanted Evening.” Seniors Emma Blickenstaff, Stephen Mann and Rebecca Scott directed the event alongside the musical accompaniment of Jim Blackett (sophomore) for each number. Fifteen duets and trios performed songs from musicals for an entertaining night filled with theatrical performances.
The event began last year as a continuation of Occidental alum Lauren Tannenbaum’s senior project, an independently-directed musical theater cabaret to provide students with the opportunity to perform. At the beginning of the night, the directors entered the studio to an explosion of applause from the audience whose excitement began before the night even started. They informed the audience that not only will there be experienced singers performing, including members of Glee Club, but also students performing who have never sang before to an audience.
The directors’ excitement was palpable days before the event took place. Director Stephen Mann discussed how the club began. “We started the Musical Theater Company last semester because we felt there needed to be another opportunity for musical theater on campus,” Mann said. “We became [the cast’s] mentors, if you will, throughout the whole process.”
The directors gave everyone who auditioned the chance to perform, allowing the show to expand in variety. The students performing came from a plethora of backgrounds, proving this level of variety to be true.
“Not everyone [performing] is in theater, and it’s kind of nice,” Blickenstaff said. “I didn’t know these people were interested in theater or could sing for that matter. It’s our constitution and philosophy to give opportunities to perform to those who want to.”
The best-received performances were by non-music or theater majors. Dominic Shayler (senior) and Daniel Horowitz (junior) are biology and cognitive science majors, yet when they hit the stage with “Warts and All” from “Honk,” the crowd went wild at their humorous performance. Christina Crittenden (sophomore) and Jim Blackett (sophomore), Latin American studies and economics majors, respectively, also warmed audience members’ hearts singing “I See the Light” from “Tangled.”
Not only was “An Enchanted Evening” a success for the performers, but also served as a promotion for the Musical Theater Company. Mann, building off Blickenstaff’s statement, explained their hope for the club. “We want to give [the students] songs to showcase their strengths,” Mann said. “We hope the club can become a growing and popular thing, for people with an interest in music and theater to come together.”
From “Crazier Than You” from “The Addams Family,” performed by Danielle Christopher (senior) and Kainoa King (senior), to “Man of La Mancha” from “Man of La Mancha,” performed by Santiago Alcantara (senior) and Declan Meagher (first-year), “An Enchanted Evening” was just that for anyone who enjoys theater and witnessing incredible talent.
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