COME TO THE CABARET, AT YALE

With our hearts and minds consumed with images of the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma as well as the fate of millions of immigrants currently living on our shores, who may face deportation, it is timely that the first offering by the Yale School of Drama at the 50th anniversary of the Yale Cabaret is focused on water, escape and refugees.  Penned by Drama School student Josh Wilder, who is also co-artistic director, Yale Cab 50 opened with a mighty splash.  "One Big Breath," which played the weekend of September 14-16, dealt with "current images, refugees in the world and a journey across water," according to Wilder.

Wilder asked the audience "How long is one breath under water," and provided a collage of images, some in effective silhouette, to answer that question.  Relying on experimentation, the cast that included Francesca Fernandez McKenzie, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy, Patricia Fa'asua, Jakeem Powell and Catherine Maria Rodriguez, dealt with the fears of escaping persecution, the perilous and arduous trek across a vast sea, the real threat of drowning and the often impossible task of trying to be understood once free in a new and strange land.

Francesca Fernandez McKenzie is a Co-Artistic Director as well as an actor in the piece and explained that "students in the Drama School are free to fail, to step out of the curriculum, to experiment, to absorb themselves in the 'passion project.' "  She feels there is an "electrifying feeling" that promotes trust and security as artists, "a collaboration with spirit."

The Yale Cabaret is celebrating its 50th anniversary and it seems like forever and only a minute since it opened its doors at 217 Park Street in New Haven, just one day after Richard Nixon was elected President in November 1968. The current leadership team which also includes Rachel Shuey as Managing Director, Rory Pelsue as Associate Artistic Director, Latiana (LT) Gourzong as Production Manager and Jaime Totti as Associate Managing Director, are dedicated to doing projects that help them grow as artists, to plum the Cab's  rich history and to bring back prior alumnae.

For each play, the basement space at the Cab is creatively reconfigured for maximum effect.  From September to May, eighteen productions will be offered from drama to comedy to opera to drag.  Every show is diverse, all student run, with a shoestring budget of a mere $350.  Come early at 6:30 p.m. and dine on an eclectic menu that includes small plates like salad nicoise with grilled swordfish $10, sweet potato lentil cakes $8 or lamb kabobs $12 and desserts like flourless chocolate cake $6 as well as snacks, sides, beer and wine. Selections change often thanks to Chef Anna Belcher's culinary touch.

Next up is a musical about Adam and Eve from September 21-23, a political thriller about Vietnam from October 5-7 and a multi-media assault on the Real Housewives from October 12-14.  Performances are 8 p.m.Thursday to Saturday with late nights Friday and Saturday at 11 pm.  Call the Yale Cab at 203-432-1566 or online at www.ysd.cabaret@yale.edu or yalecabaret.org. Tickets are $20, Yale faculty and staff $15, students $12, with various flex passes available for purchase.

Come celebrate five decades of diversity and dedication as the Yale Cab embarks on new and exciting paths to adventurous entertainment.