Coffee House Cabaret Showcases Talented Performers—See the Photos!

The 14th annual Coffee House Cabaret featured four sold-out performances in the McGregor Family Theater last week. This year’s program included 39 auditioned acts featuring Middle School and Upper School students.

 

Event Co-Chairs Gloria Luna and Kathryn Olsen, with a team of PTF volunteers, created a classy atmosphere for audience members who dined on appetizers, desserts and beverages prepared by caterer Le Cuisine. Parent volunteer Jody Parrish managed the demand for tickets and ensured that everyone who wanted to view a performance was able to do so.

 

Many seniors took to the stage this year for their final Coffee House performances, including Tyler Ashman, Kenneth Brown, Casey Healy, Scott Lilly, Daniela Luna, Rebekah Olsen, Katherine Parrish, Neal Singh and James Swanson.

 

Songs represented numerous musicals: Les Miserables, Big Fish, Aladdin, Moana, Wicked, Waitress, Pippin, Camelot, Young Frankenstein, Ragtime, Candide, Fame, Seussical, and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.

 

Throughout the program, many students performed on a variety of instruments, including piano, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, electric guitar, and saxophone. Student musicians were Tyler Ashman, Joshua Buckanavage, Evette Chung, Lara Hairapetian, Marek Magaña, Daisy Sellas, Will Weiss, Brayden Windes, Natalie Yee and Kevin Zhu.

 

In addition to vocalists, spoken word and instrumental performances, there were many dance numbers. The varied dance styles included lyrical, Irish, jive, and contemporary. Students who danced in the shows were Hana Adams, Mitra Alikhani, Elyse Bryant, Valentina Martino, Ava Olsen, Parker Ryan, Derek Saunders, Claire Sele and Katherine Sele.

 

“I love performing in Coffee House Cabaret and especially enjoy the time I spend with my sister while we rehearse for the show,” junior Katherine Sele said. “It’s also such a great way to connect with other students in our community who share a passion for the arts.”

 

The Coffee House Cabaret House Band provided live accompaniment. The band included seniors Scott Lilly and Neal Singh, junior Clayton Chalmers, faculty accompanist Adela Kwan and band director Chris Carbajal. Senior Tyler Genevay emceed the performance, introducing each performer and adding some humor during the transitions.

 

The PTF Arts Alliance members value the Coffee House Cabaret for providing students the opportunity to perform pieces that they have selected, written or choreographed on their own, giving them a chance to show their individuality. Their selections were evident in a variety of instrumental and vocal ballads, comedy, classical, jazz, operetta, country, pop, and rock music. The audience rewarded the cast with a standing ovation following their final performance on Saturday night.

 

Click here for a program listing all of the pieces and performances.