By Don Church and Tony Schillaci, Critics On The Aisle ™
The Ninth Annual International Cabaret Conference at Yale University’s Iseman Theater is always one of New Haven’s major events each summer. Students from around the world, selected through intense auditions, are coached by an award-winning faculty and renowned consultants, and through a collaborative process of critical refining and honing of their entertainment skills and talents.
Guided by Erv Raible, Executive Director/Artistic Director, the conference is an intensive nine-day teaching program that trains professionals for a life in the entertainment industry.
The Great American Songbook is featured in its entirety, from its origins in the late 19th century through the classic pop standards of the 1930s and ‘40s to today’s contemporary cabaret, musical theater, jazz, country and pop music.
Thirty-nine students studied acting for singers, lyric interpretation, focus and concentration, act structure, act writing, material research, and comedic development.
According to performer/composer/lyricist/librettist Pam Tate, Associate Director and faculty member, this year’s group of budding performers is “exceptionally talented and focused.” Legendary cabaret star Julie Wilson, also on the faculty, called the students “incredible…..they are so gifted and enthusiastic. I don’t actually teach them. I just tell them the story of my career, and what to expect when they enter the real world of show business.”
During the yearly conferences there are five Summer Nights Cabaret Concerts at Yale, featuring faculty members and students. These public performances allow students to observe the performance techniques of consummate professionals, as they continue to study those of their peers daily. The final concert, Cabaret Stars of Tomorrow, features all students, demonstrating what they have accomplished in their nine days at the conference. Knowledgeable fans of great cabaret entertainment eagerly await their opportunity to purchase tickets to the sought after concerts.
One of the many outstanding performances is opening night, when the participating cabaret stars each take a turn on stage.
The 2011 cabaret luminaries included Tovah Feldshuh, Laurel Massé, Sally Mayes, Amanda McBroom, Sharon McNight, Pamela Tate and the grande dame of cabaret Julie Wilson.
We had the pleasure of seeing the July 28 concert, which starred Pam Tate singing country, blues, and original songs in her "Blues In The Night” show. She also included “the 11th hour number” – a powerful torch song from her upcoming musical based on Katherine Anne Porter’s novel, “Ship Of Fools.”
The second half of the night’s bill was the incomparable award-winning Sharon McNight. In her act – “A Night With McNight” – in which she lampooned everyone - her well deserved curtain call included her fast-paced spoof on “The Wizard of OZ,” which had the audience screaming for more.
Both Pam and Sharon are talented actors who delivered their songs with emotion, heart and in many cases, unbridled humor. Each was accompanied by the brilliant keyboard talents of Ian Herman.
The Yale Cabaret Conference is a not-to-be-missed, once a year entertainment event.
Information about next year’s conference and exact dates will be updated soon on www.thecabaretconferenceatyale.com,
Or, to learn more about the 2012 conference, phone 212-629-2000 or write to The Cabaret Conference at Yale, 111 Morton St., Suite 3A, New York, NY 10014.
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