Local Theater Honors Donors With 'Cabaret Night'

Fans of musical theater will get a first-time glimpse at a performance by members of the The Penny Seats Theatre Company - Scio Twp. resident Matt Cameron among them - when the Ann Arbor group performs later this month.

The theater troupe will present an hour-long show titled Penny Pieces: A Cabaret at 7 p.m. on Jan. 29. The event at Mediterrano Restaurant, 2900 S. State St. in Ann Arbor, features a three-course dinner along with a selection of Broadway music.

Cameron, who is in his last semester of law school at Wayne State University, said he joined the group for a creative outlet, and was glad to find a theater company that would fit in with members’ busy schedules.

“The goal is to fill the niche between professional theater and community productions. By producing high quality theater, that’s accessible to all members of the community, we hope to share our passion with our neighbors,” he said.

The theater, which launched seven months ago, is named after the cheap seats at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in England and seeks to fill a niche for summer outdoor theater in the Ann Arbor area. It is made up of lawyers, doctors, and interior designers, among others, who enjoy the performing arts.

Lauren London, president of the theater, said members have been busy fundraising during the past few months, and the cabaret is a way to both honor local donors and celebrate the theater's inaugural year.

"The cabaret is more of a 'getting to know you' event," London said. "It's a coming out party for the members of the theater to showcase our vocal talent and our actors."

To compliment the performance, Jessica Hoover, banquet coordinator for Mediterrano said the restaurant is preparing a unique menu including Greek salad, chicken kebabs, salmon A la grecque, pasta, and classic tiramisu.

The troupe hopes to host more performances of varying genres in the coming months as it prepares for its inaugural production in August of Ann-Marie MacDonald’s Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet), at the West Park Band Shell in Ann Arbor. 

London said the troupe approached Mediterrano's owners, who graciously agreed to host the cabaret.

"Matt is long-time friends with the owners and they were more than willing to participate," she said.

Cameron said he hopes Penny Seats will continue to partner with local businesses in an attempt to expand its offerings to local residents.

“Although we don't have anything scheduled as of yet, we’re hoping to set up a performance in Scio Township by the end of the spring,” Cameron said. “I’m truly excited about the prospect of performing back in my hometown once more."

"Scio Township is an area that has experienced rapid growth in recent years. With this expansion has come a variety of new eateries, shops, and businesses. However, one thing that has yet to enter onto the Scio Township scene is a viable theater company. While Ann Arbor is only a short distance away, it would certainly be nice to bring the performance arts into such a vibrant, growing community," he said.

Advance tickets for the event cost $40 each or $75 per couple and are available online. More information is available at www.pennyseats.org. Tickets can also be ordered by calling 1-800-838-3006.