The Broadway Speaks Out cabaret held in Elon University’s Black Box Theatre benefitted the National Eating Disorder Association.
A variety of songs were performed at the cabaret, ranging from “What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction to “Mama Who Bore Me” from the musical “Spring Awakening.” Energy was in no shortage from the moment the cast stepped out on stage to open with Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way,” making everyone in the room want to get up and dance along. The positive vibes continued to flow from song to song and made the entire audience feel every emotion possible. The dance-heavy songs filled the Black Box Theatre with a party attitude that was perfectly followed up by the sentimental emotions of the slower love songs.
Before the last song of the show, director and creator Logan Williamson expressed her gratitude toward everyone who made the show possible. The overwhelming sense of sincerity in Williamson’s words nearly brought the whole house to tears. The last song of the show was one of the most powerful of the set. The whole cast came together to sing a tear-jerking rendition of Katy Perry’s “Unconditionally.” Cast members came out on stage holding words or phrases that portrayed insecurities, and at the bridge of the song the papers were ripped to shreds and replaced with something they were proud of in themselves.
In addition to the large emotional aspect of the show, there was of course the mind-blowing talent of the cast. To just be able to sit in the audience for a show like this, or any others at this school, is such a privilege. It doesn’t take much as an audience member to see how hard each and every cast member has worked and how much these types of performances really mean to them.