Club Dragonfly, an immersive and interactive cabaret experience, comes to the Yulman Theater, Studio A, for four shows April 14-17.
The original show was devised by Artistic Director Randy Wyatt, associate professor of theater and chair of the Department of Theater and Dance, along with 16 students. They invite the audience to choose what happens to the waiters’ story, both live and through their cellphones.
At roughly 80 minutes with no intermission, the show is set 10 years in the future. Union students have launched a successful nightclub focused on solo performances of pop standards and musical theater numbers. The Dragonflies have launched members to national fame.
The first half of the show is hosted by Haoyu (John) Jiang ’22 and pays tribute to American composer Joe Raposo, who wrote many songs from Sesame Street and other classics. The second half is a full multi-number cabaret by now-famous Helen Smith ’22, who relates her story of her time at Union and beyond. She sings Sondheim and Disney pieces as well as songs made famous by Pink and Counting Crows.
“Once you enter the club, you will be entertained by cabaret soloists,” said Wyatt. “In between numbers, the waitstaff will divulge secrets and get into shenanigans, the direction of which will be chosen by audience members on their phones interacting with the live performance, using technology by Gameiotics.
“We encourage people to bring their phones to interact with the show. All in all, we’ve got great music immersed in a candlelit cabaret setting while the audience gets to choose the fates of the waiters’ strange evening.”
“I’ve had a lot of fun with the cast and singers,” said Smith. “Everyone has worked very hard for their particular roles. The added improvisation from the waiters will, of course, be an interesting and fun way for audience interaction.”
Music director is Shou-Ping Liu, director of performance and a lecturer in choral and orchestral conducting.
All shows are at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 general admission and $5 for those with a Union ID and senior citizens.