Featuring songs ranging from Broadway to pop, rock, country and jazz, the 30 members of Chantilly High's Touch of Class Show Choir will present their Fall Cabaret, next Wednesday-Thursday, Oct. 4-5, in the school cafeteria.
"IT'S A SPECIAL project they do every year, and it is unlike their usual concerts," said Choral Director Glenn Cockrell. "Normally, they all sing together as a choir. This features them individually as soloists."
And there's food, too. Dinner from Famous Dave's will be served from 6:30-8 p.m., with the show starting at 7 p.m. Reserved seats are $9 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.
Purchase tickets from choral students or in the cafeteria from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Order forms are available in the office. Tickets will be sold at the door, if still available. Call Joyce Resua at 703-478-6382.
"We completely transform the cafeteria into a dinner-theater setting with a raised stage, theater lighting, nice backdrops and a full sound system," said Cockrell. "It's an upbeat, casual atmosphere."
The wide variety of songs will include numbers such as "A Moment Like This," "Crocodile Rock," "Ring of Fire," "Rock This Country," "Sad Tango," "Simple Things," and show tunes like "Big Spender," plus "Somewhere" from "West Side Story."
The choral students are also using this performance to raise money to travel to a national competition in the spring. And professional, Broadway choreographer Sarah Pramstaller, a Chantilly choral alumni, has been hired to do the choreography for their competitive show.
"In addition to the singing and good food at the cabaret, we'll also do a lot of other fun stuff during the evening," said Cockrell. "Throughout the event, we'll be giving away a whole lot of different door prizes donated by local merchants."
There'll also be a raffle for a digital camera, plus a silent auction for several, themed baskets. And, said Cockrell, "Every penny goes right to the kids for the fund-raising."
The show will last about three hours, but people are free to move around during it. And popcorn, candy and beverages will be available for purchase so the audience may enjoy snacks all during the performance.
Cockrell said the cabaret teaches the choral students how to prepare for a performance. "They each get to create the choreography and select the costume to best illustrate their song," he explained. "They even find the music and what fits their range and style."
IN THE SUMMER, each one selects a fast, slow and moderate-tempo song — in various styles of music. Then in September, they tape themselves singing these songs and Cockrell chooses the best from each student.
"It parallels the process you'd go through as a performer auditioning for a live show," he said. "That way, they better understand what it takes, and the cabaret gives them solo experience." In addition, students perform their songs in class to get critical feedback from their peers.
Cockrell said the show's coming along well and should be a real crowd-pleaser. "I heard some really neat things on the tapes," he said.
The cabaret is always a big hit every year, said Cockrell, because "It's a great, family night. You get a good meal and a show — and you could even win some prizes, all at the same time, so it's a great night out and a nice, community event."
He said the students have worked really hard to create the show, and he's also pleased because "It's a chance to see kids doing something positive. Everybody will find some music they like, and the money raised will be a great support for the kids."