Thanks for the comments and support on my last entry. It really helped to get it all out - so many times, I start drafting copy of information like this in my mind, over and over (occupational hazard I guess). It doesn't always see the light of day which just makes it easier to obsess about and continue to mentally revise and review, so getting it out - it's done, time to move on.

The year is actually starting out really well. I love musicals and saw a great performance of Cabaret last night put on by a local theater company (Davis Musical Theatre Company). Just a small stage and no bad seats since there are only 218 seats) and last night's performance had 17 actors, all local. Back in August I bought a LivingSocial deal of two season ticket (6 shows) for the price of one (normally $90 for the six show set, got two tickets to each for $89).

I am so glad I bought them. While Broadway or even big touring company shows are so polished and spectacular, small theater has so many of its own charms. The sets are minimal (and reused show to show) but the enthusiasm of the actors is such a joy to watch. Occassionally there is one that doesn't have the strength to project their performance enough, or is obviously awkward during a dance number, but it doesn't disrupt the overall charm (heck - it sometimes adds to the charm). Then, and it happened last night, you see an actor that seems to mainly be in a comedic non-singing part, and then they have a solo and their voice blows you away.

I hadn't seen Cabaret in a while, so I remembered the basics but not the detail. The part of Frauline Kost was of the prostitute living in the same boarding house as the main characters, and frequently sneaking out sailors who, when caught by the landlandy, she explains off as relatives "this is my nephew". At the end of act 1, she starts the reprise of "Tomorrow Belongs to Me" and this actress had a great set of pipes - I was very surprised and pleased and it reminded me of the role of Petra in A Little Night Music.

Speaking of that song - with just the minimal costuming, staging and right lighting, they really created a chill in me with the first rendition of the song in the middle of Act 1. The lead tenor's voice is great (and I'd loved him in previous shows like Oliver). It was so hard to clap at the end of the song though due to the chill and foreshadowing.

So - 2014 is starting well... Well, it is for me at least. The theater had was about 1/3 empty, even though the online seat selection showed last night's show as almost sold one. I think that the flu and weather caused a lot of people to not be able to go. In my group of five, we actually only had three attend as one had the flu and another had thrown his back out. I heard people talk about friends who were stuck back east and hadn't made it back to town yet from the holidays.

So - so far I've seen half the shows, Spamalot, Oliver and Cabaret and have three more to go (South Pacific, Chorus Line and Les Mis). At the end of the season, definitely planning on renewing and getting two more season tickets even at full price. Just too good to not support and go to.