Kent Melville, Natalie Leonard, Hannah Lulla and Jason Dyer, right to left,
sing “When I’m Sixty-four.” Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum.
By Terry Sheppard, Democrat staff writer
Kent Melville, Natalie Leonard, Hannah Lulla and Jason Dyer, right to left,
sing “When I’m Sixty-four.” Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum.
What: “Cabaret Night”
Who: Ponderosa High School's Performing Arts Department.
Where: Ponderosa High School, 3661 Ponderosa Road, Shingle Springs
When: Friday, Jan. 26 and Saturday, Jan. 27, at 7 p.m.
Cost: Tickets are $8 for general admission and $4 for students
Information: 677-2281 ext. 232
“I live to perform and to have the opportunity is amazing,” Mariah Muehler, 15, said. “This is my life.”
Muehler will be stage front and center performing at the “Cabaret Night” presented by Ponderosa High School's Performing Arts Department. She will be singing and playing piano. Her musical performance will feature “If I Were a Bell,” from “Guys and Dolls.” On piano Muehler will be playing one of her original compositions titled “I'll Wait.”
“I think a person in the arts taps into their emotions. It has helped me to see the world differently,” said Muehler.
She said her parents aren't performing artists but they have supported her completely.
“I love the performing arts and have worked hard to maintain a strong academic record. The decision I make as to what college or university I attend will be based upon the quality of their performing arts program,” said Muehler.
In show biz Muehler is on her way to becoming what's known as a triple treat. As the name implies, these performers possess a multitude of skills, all at a professional level. Muehler has been singing all her life, started her stage career at the age of 9, and most recently has taken up playing the piano.
“Cabaret Night” is a perfect venue to showcase her talents and the talents of other students at Ponderosa.
“I started ‘Cabaret Night' because our choral music programs are ensemble oriented,” said Janet Matranga, director of choral music at Ponderosa High School.
The “Cabaret Night” entertainment is a variety show including instrumental and vocal music including solos, small ensembles, barbershop quartets, comedy sketches and dance, under the direction of Matranga.
“Cabaret Night is a fund-raiser for the schools choral music program. All the money goes to student activities. We give scholarships to students that have needs. The funds also help with wardrobe, tuxedos and gowns for performance shows and travel costs to San Francisco were we participate in the annual spring Heritage Festival,” said Matranga.
The Bunch of Goofy Guys Barbershop quartet will be performing their old time music infused with the spirit of youth. BOGG as Jason Dyer, 17 called the quartet is a Ponderosa music stapple. In addition to Dyer the other members are Kent Melville, 16, Matt Provencal, 16, and Doug Orofino, 16.
BOGG's presentation of barber shop music uses musical and visual methods that convey the theme of the songs and provides the audience with an emotionally satisfying and entertaining experience. The musical and visual delivery is from the heart, believable, and sensitive to the song and its arrangement throughout and the stylistic presentation artistically melds together the musical and visual aspects to create and sustain the illusions suggested Dyer said.
”My interest in Barbershop quartet music began in my junior year when I saw a professional group perform. I fell in love instantly,” said Dyer. “I got my hands on everything I could.”
Last year the quartet competed in the Far Western District of Barbershop Quartets in Reno, Nev. Dyer plans to pursue a career as a choir director and hopes to compete in professional Barbershop Quartet competition.
“A day without singing is like a day without sunshine. Where ever I land I am going to be singing,” said Orofino.
Ponderosa Performing Arts students will present the annual cabaret of talent Friday and Saturday in the Ponderosa Theater at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served and are included in the price of the ticket.
Ponderosa High School is located at 3661 Ponderosa Road, Shingle Springs. Tickets are $8 for general admission and $4 for students and can be reserved by calling 677-2281 ext. 232. Tickets will also be sold at the door.
Cabaret acts will feature Mariah Muehler, Bunch of Goofy Guys Barbershop quartet, Valerie Valdez, Scott Mennel, Jason Dyer, Chris Muller, Doug Orofino, Marissa Gibbons, Brock Davidson, Jon Rawlings, Top Notch Barbershop quartet, Melanie Jones, Kevin Kraft, Matt Provencal, Deniele Cade, Natalie Leonard, Hanna Lulla, Kent Melville, Breanne Spence, Clara Regula, Jade Laverdy, Cami Straughn and Alyssa Cranmer.