Cast

Artistic Staff

Production Staff

Welcome one and all to tonight’s performance of CABARET! Before I get started here, I’d like to thank each and every one of you sitting in the audience this evening simply for choosing to be here tonight. What you see before you tonight is the product of the hard work of twenty-one exceptionally talented cast members, ten devoted and committed artistic staffers, a diligent and hard-working technical staff, a melodious orchestra, and an entire organization uniting in the pursuit of one goal: to bring you this show on this night. Without an audience, what we do tonight is not theatre, and so you are just as much as a part of this experience as any of us.

Many people approach me asking me exactly what CABARET is about. Chances are they’ve heard of it, and some of them have heard a few of the songs from the show. However, I don’t believe that it’s possible to do justice to what CABARET is about in a space such as this. For one thing, I would be arrogant if I claimed to understand the show fully and completely. I’ve been studying this show for over three years now, having performed in it during my freshman year at Virginia Tech, and to this day I still discover nuances and themes that I’d never encountered before.

I believe that, more than anything else, this show speaks to the theme of avoidance. We as University students enwrap ourselves in the safety blanket of college life on a daily basis, finding comfort in the things that we do to avoid the realities of the world outside Grounds. In much the same way, people like you and me go to the theatre to engage ourselves in a world that is not our own; a world outside Grounds. In much the same way, people like you and me go to the theatre to engage ourselves in a world that is not our own; a world absent of the troubles that we face every day. I encourage you, for this reason, to allow yourself to be enveloped by the illusion of the Kit Kat Klub, for “in here, life is beautiful – the girls are beautiful – even the orchestra is beautiful”. Forget your exams, your readings, your papers, and enjoy the show.

As a graduating fourth-year student, this show essentially represents my swan song, my goodbye to the University of Virginia. I have been lucky enough in my brief three-year career here to be affiliated with some tremendous organizations: the Virginia Glee Club, whom I thank for teaching me the value of unconditional brotherhood; the University Singers, whom I thank for showing me the power of horal excellence; Spectrum Theatre, whom I thank for the opportunity to direct The Fantasticks last fall; and Shakespeare on the Law, whom I thank for introducing me to one of the most powerful pieces of theatre to ever grace the stage.
It is appropriate, however, that I should end my career here with this group, this marvelous organization committed to a set of goals that I believe in with all of my heart. First Year Players isn’t just about putting together a spectacular show. More importantly, it is about the formation of a community of individuals, dependent upon each other from start to finish, to create something in which the group as a whole can take collective pride. It’s about extending an open hand to anyone who wants to be a part of the group, regardless of talent or experience or social skills. It’s about taking what the group has to offer and then giving back to it, something which I hope that I’ve been able ot do with this endeavor. Most of all, it’s about having fun, and tonight you have the opportunity to experience the fun that we have in creating this show.

To that end, there are countless individuals who deserve thanks for their contributions to this show and to making it happen. I can’t get to everyone in this space, but I will do the best that I can.

First and foremost, I thank First Year Players as an organization for giving me the opportunity to bring this show to the University community, and for everything that it has given me throughout my three years here. I thank the Production Staff for everything that they have done to make this show a possibility and for the support that they have given to every aspect of the show.
I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to my supremely talented Artistic Staff. Most of what you see onstage tonight is the direct result of their tireless effort in teaching the nuts and bolts of the songs, dances, and scenes to the cast. You all never cease to amaze me.

I thank the cast for the relationships that I’ve build with many of them and for the countless hours of hard work learning and putting together this show. I sincerely hope that this has been an experience that you will be able to take pride in for the rest of your life. I also hope that you have, through the vehicle of this process, made a few friendships that will last a lifetime.
I also would like to thank the technical Staff – words cannot express the amount of gratitude that I have for the work that you’ve put into this show. Lighting, sound, costumes, woodwork, makeup, set design, paint, and a million other things that perhaps even I don’t know about… you all are the people who have made the magic happen, and for that I am eternally grateful. It has been truly a pleasure to work so closely with you all.

A few individual people worth special note:
My best friend, Brian Bartoldus, for making me realize that I’m worth something.
My partner in crime, AJ Johnson, for following his dream and helping me follow mine.
My producer, James Villarrubia, for helping me through every crisis that has come along,
My girlfriend, Jamie Coupar, for believing in me and for always being there for me.
My brother, John Rogers, for teaching me the value of faith.
My inspiration, Walt McGough, for encouraging me to try again.
My teacher, Kathie West, who forced me to audition for TJ Drama and who taught me how to keep the faith and take care of each other.

And most importantly, my parents, for their constant and unwavering support throughout all my endeavors in my twenty-one years on this Earth. Thank you and I love you.

So now I’m finally finished…except for a few things. I ask that you be honest with us about this show. If you loved it, tell the cast how much you loved them. If you hated it, tell me about why. If you didn’t get it, feel free to ask me anything about it. A group will never get any better at what it does unless it is honest with itself about what it does. And also… many of you in the audience have been affiliated with this organization in the past. Come back. We miss you.
And now I’m really finished…except… just kidding. Enjoy the show!
--Mark Gray-Mendes

Producer's Notes