For one night only on March 10th, the PAC became a Broadway stage. The members of the Ridge Concert Choir performed songs from Hairspray, Shrek, Frozen, and so much more.
With the Concert Choir’s impeccable dance moves and impressive singing, one wonders how the entire Concert Choir pulls it off, year after year. The road to Cabaret is actually much more winding than one might think.
The process started when students in the choir suggested songs for all-cast numbers around early December, and the class then voted for their favorites. Soon after, 40 slots for open-call numbers were opened, which consisted of solos, duets, and small groups. The audition music was given to the choir’s piano accompanist, Mrs. Sandi Zimmerman, so she had time to learn the music for each piece before the beginning of the open call auditions soon after Christmas break. The students in the choir viewed each performance, rating each for sound quality as well as stage presence. The top sixteen were chosen by the best average ratings, and each was seen in the show in March.
Mrs. Barbara Retzko, the choir director, taught the music during the following weeks of January and early February before the beginning of choreography time. Each group number was “blocked,” or each student was positioned in a certain spot for the dance, from early February until the week before the show.
“It was really fun collaborating with other people and teaching the dance to everyone,” adds Justine Mastro ‘16, who helped choreograph the all-girl number “Bella’s Finals” from Pitch Perfect.
While the process may have seemed impossible to complete on such short notice, the Concert Choir pulled it off, despite the odds stacked against them. Due to the effect of PARCC testing, the Concert Choir was scrambling. Thankfully, a class survey offering suggestions showed that no one in the Concert Choir was willing to give up on the show, and there was a suggestion to move Cabaret earlier in the year. Mrs. Retzko believed that to be the best option and the show went on.
When the show finally rolled around on March 10th, the entire cast felt the energy. “I was very excited. I was looking forward to the show for a long time,” describes Julia Fiocco ’16. “Everyone was very supportive of one another.”
Some crowd favorites of the night were “Agony” from Into the Woods, “You Can’t Stop the Beat” from Hairspray, “Bella’s Finals” from Pitch Perfect, “Greased Lightning” from Grease, and “Vuelie” from Frozen. The feeling in the air was electric, with happy smiles on each member’s face.
Even after the show, many discussed the show’s fun nature. Some underclassmen, especially the sophomore members of the Ridge Chorale, felt extremely excited to become a part of the process next year when they join the Concert Choir.
“To see my sister enjoy it, love it, and be a part of it gives me the confidence that I will love it just as much as she did,” adds Catherine Pankow ’17, a Chorale member.
As the tradition continues, it will be wonderful to see where Concert Choir goes next with Cabaret.