Cabaret

The 13th annual ‘Cabaret’ production of the Almaguin Choral Society featured Songs from the Movies, and like every preceding show, it was a crowd-pleaser. Directed by Gloria Kidd with artistic direction by Shirley Moore, the song and dance routines could have been clipped right from the movies. The music accompaniment was by Greg Moeser (keyboard), Reneé (bass) and Garry (guitar) White and Ben Henderson (percussion). Choreography was by Rosemary Kirwin, while Don Dorst returned this year as Host – complete with his usual shaggy dog stories.

The full-house crowd was still abuzz with comments on their favourite pieces but the question most asked of the players as they greeted patrons was “What are you doing next year?” After thirteen shows, you might expect that the Almaguin Choral Society would be running out of ideas but we all know they will not disappoint us next season.

The Cabarets had their beginning in the Sundridge Pubic school gym where guests sat at tables and were served strawberry shortcake and coffee at intermission by the singers. Seating was limited and the popularity of the production soon demanded more nights. As the costuming and staging became more elaborate, and the stage lighting more complex, the old gym tended to be rather warm on the early summer nights. The Company sought a larger venue and the show finally moved to Land of Lakes school in Burk’s Falls. This year the production ran for 4 nights – all sold out.

It is difficult to define just what makes the Almaguin Choral Society so special. The name itself may arouse curiosity but it is simply derived from the geographical area – the Almaguin Highlands – where the singers live. They all reside along the highway 11 corridor from Huntsville to Callander. The singers themselves are seemingly ordinary folk – you may meet them anywhere in the area – at local stores, libraries, churches and on the street. They are people who are retired, people holding a steady 9 to 5 job or students. You might never expect that they are fancy tap dancers or able to execute a solo rendition in the voice of a Maurice Chevalier, but this they do with great competence on stage in what would be billed as an amateur production, but has professionalism written all over it.

Much of this professionalism comes from the music director, Gloria Kidd. Her love of music has to be infectious as she coaxes voices once suitable only for the shower into stage-worthy and applause garnering songsters. The artistic demands of the shows are limited only by the size of the stage as Ms Moore creates settings to match the theme. Last night, the Hollywood gowns were dazzling but where they found all the diamonds for ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend’ may only be explained by the presence of the Brinks truck at the back of the school Saturday evening.

The ACS also performs pure choral productions, notably their Christmas Chorale, and it is a year-long work of commitment and the joy of song that keeps this group vibrant. As the more elderly songsters fade from the stage, younger singers step into their places, keeping the group on a steady course for the future. For the younger and student attendees at Cabaret, the show is an eye-opening experience for what may become a career for the budding artist. For the would-be singer in us all, the show is an inspiration to sing, albeit if only in the shower.

As much as the audience enjoys the Cabaret by the Almaguin Choral Society, I am sure there is a sense of envy as the patrons leave the production. We all have a sneaking suspicion that the singers, dancers and musicians are having more fun than we are.