(EAST PROVIDENCE)-What began 25 years ago with a principal's request for a music teacher to put on "a small show" has grown into a huge production and the promise that each year will be bigger and better than ever.
Not only will this year’s cabaret-style show, “Manhattan at the Bay,” be a performance to remember, but the weekend will also be packed with events to celebrate the 25th such production at Bay View.
Bay View’s cabaret-style performance got its start in the spring of 1983 when the school’s new music and theatre teacher, Christine D. Kavanagh, was asked to put together a ‘small’ show. Kavanagh assembled a production team consisting of Musical Director Diane Gualtieri, Choreographer Cindy LoSasso and Percussionist Karen Mellor. Then, Kavanagh recruited a cast of 30 student performers and staged a cabaret in the school’s gymnasium. The shows were sold out and a tradition was born.
This production has brought together generations of Bay View families that, in some instances, see grandmothers returning to volunteer as well as watch their granddaughters perform.
"This is truly a unique and special production said one Bay View grandmother, Irene Coletta." It was wonderful when I pitched in 25 years ago and it has only gotten better with age. Now, I am so excited to see my granddaughter, Mia, perform in this milestone show, as well as enjoy the food prepared, in part, by my daughter, Malinda.”
The annual show has also had a long lasting impact on past players. Lisa Rocha-Gubernick fondly remembers her life as a player. “When I rock my baby boy to sleep at night, I often sing lullabies from the songbooks I have in my mind from my years with Cabaret. They are melodies, lyrics and memories I will never forget.”
This year, the “Dream Team” comprised of Kavanagh, Gualtieri, LoSasso and Mellor will be joined by over 100 student performers, stage technicians, alumnae and parent volunteers for a spectacular performance.
“Words are inadequate when it comes to how I truly feel regarding twenty-five years and having the ability to work with so many talented and wonderful people,” Kavanagh said.
Every year, Bay View brings together the best in technical, dramatic, costume, set build and design. “The magnitude of what goes on behind stage to bring these shows to this audience every year is comparable to professional shows being staged in New York” said Diane Tanury, the parent of a Bay View graduate.
Over the past 25 years, the Bay View Players have taken their shows to the Providence Performing Arts Center, the American School in Paris and the former Warwick Musical Theatre. The students have performed with Judy Collins and Clay Aiken and traveled to Italy in 1992 to perform in Florence and in Rome in a special performance for Pope John Paul II. In 1996, a group of young players performed at the Providence Performing Arts Center in the touring production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat that featured Sam Harris.
Bay View’s Performing Arts program has helped to produce some of the most talented and accomplished women in the fields of music, entertainment, and even, opera. The 25th anniversary will bring scores of them back together to reunite and reminisce how Cabaret shaped their lives. “Twenty five years ago, I was very young. I nervously auditioned for Godspell, and amazingly, I was one of the ‘pioneers’ who was cast....The experiences were life changing...I am forever grateful to Chris, Diane and Karen for nurturing my talents...” said Kara Marziali, from the class of 1986.
“Mrs. K. got me hooked on Cabaret in 7th grade,” said Natasha Zampini Zito, a graduate of the class of 1992. “I wrote my college essay about Cabaret.”
The show has built a following of diehard fans that have come to the performance for 25 years. “Now that I’m retired, I call from Florida every winter to reserve my seats” said Anne Marie Maciel, grandparent of an alumna.
This year, Manhattan at the Bay runs from April 24th through the 27th. A special 25th Anniversary Celebration will be held on Saturday evening following the last show and include a champagne toast to past, present and future players. Tickets are still available at www.smabv.org.
