Take a trip to Broadway with Main Street Cabaret and Vero Voce.
The cabaret group joins students at Vero Voce’s School of Performing Arts for a series of concerts over the next few months, performing songs that range from classic show tunes to modern Disney numbers.
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“We thought it would be fun to make it an outreach program, to get the students involved,” said Robin Rotela, Main Street Cabaret founder and teacher at Vero Voce. “I thought it might be fun for them to have a good learning opportunity — to not only get more performing experience, but perform with adult professionals.”
First in the series is “As We Stumble Along,” at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at Vero Voce Theatre in St. Charles.
“(It’s) all songs about things we go through in life, whether it’s stumbling through marriage or falling in love or the ins and outs of dating,” Rotela said. “Just making choices in life and trying to overcome obstacles. It’s a fun theme because there’s so many ways to go about it.”
Among the songs audience members will recognize are “Till There was You” from “The Music Man” and “Part of Your World” from “The Little Mermaid.”
“We’ve got this great mix of feel good songs and funny songs,” Rotela said. “We got a few serious ones, but not too many because we don’t want to be down.”
Originally established as a branch of Main Street Opera, Main Street Cabaret was formed in 2013 by Rotela.
“It’s a group of various singers and pianists that do cabaret shows in the Chicago area,” said Rotela, who lives in Arlington Heights.
The group performs at theaters, restaurants and other venues throughout the area. The singers and accompanists rotate performances. For each of the Vero Voce shows, Rotela and another cabaret member will perform with the students. The students that are performing were selected after auditioning in the fall.
“We placed them in the various shows, based on their auditions,” Rotela said. “We have three to four students performing in each show, performing one or two songs, depending on their ability.”
The students range from fifth grade through high school. While the students will be singing solo numbers, some will also join the cabaret members for duets.
“The kids seem really excited, and that was the whole point. It’s going to be a unique experience,” Rotela said.” This will look great on their resume to say they performed with a professional group.”
All of the songs are show tunes from Broadway musicals.
“It’s almost just like a musical theatre revue, minus the dancing,” Rotela said of the cabaret-style shows.
Typically cabaret is performed in a more intimate setting instead of a huge theater, she said. All three of the upcoming shows will be inside Vero Voce’s black box theater.
“Vero Voce is such a great place to perform,” Rotela said.
The second performance in the series is “Brand New You” at 2:30 p.m. March 19, which focuses on lessons learned and moving forward after making changes in your life. The third and final concert is “That Thing Called Love” at 2:30 p.m. May 21.
Tickets for all performances are available in advance at www.verovoce.com.
With a variety of music ranging from adult show tunes to songs from children’s musicals, the concerts a very family friendly, Rotela said.
“It’s a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon,” she said. “Listening to Broadway favorites.”
Kathy Cichon is a freelance reporter for the Courier-News.
Main Street Cabaret – “As We Stumble Along”
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When: Feb. 26
Where: Vero Voce Theatre, 951 State Ave., Suite F, St. Charles
Tickets: $15 adults, $12 students and seniors.
Information: 630-584-0139 or www.verovoce.com