Pros and kids join forces at Tabernacle cabaret benefit in Mt. Tabor

Dawn Lau’s humorous interpretation of Isn’t It Romantic added to the night’s quirky yet impressive Broadway tributes.

Dawn Lau performs ‘Isn’t It Romantic?’ Video by Bailey McGuinn:

As the Collaborative’s vice president and artistic director, she hosted the evening and sang a few favorites herself.

Having previously toured the world in Funny Girl, Bye Bye Birdie, Sweet Charity, and Hair, Lau knew how to please a crowd. In addition to her romantic sleep apnea performance, she sang Everything I’ve Got and To Keep My Love Alive.

“I live in Mount Tabor and we were at a ladies’ night when I met Dawn,” said seasoned performer Rebecca Schall. “She was a performer as well, and she had mentioned that she was starting the Mount Tabor ARTS Collaborative and I wanted to help in any way I can.”

“We did Seussical last year for the children’s theater. I did the makeup, costumes, and backstage. Any time she lets me, she’ll throw me out there.”

The Dancing Margolins take on Mountain Greenery, video by Bailey McGuinn:

Profits from the $25 tickets will help the summer camp produce The Lion King on July 21, 2018, at 7 pm on the same stage.

“We put on a whole show in 10 days,” exclaimed one of last year’s youth camp performers, helping out at the benefit. “One dress rehearsal for the entire thing! We use costumes and microphones, and get to perform here at the Tabernacle. Auditions are the first day of camp, so everyone gets a part.”

Slideshow photos by Bailey McGuinn:

Julianna and Rebecca Margolin perform their self-choreographed _Have You Met Ms. Jones_(1)

Dawn Lau brings the house down with her hilarious _Isn_t It Romantic_

Jackie Nuzzo stuns with _Johnny One Note_

The full cast performs _Blue Moon_ as the finale(2)

Marni Raab steals the show with _It Never Entered My Mind_

The Cedar Grove and Verona Musical Theatre Classes perform _Manhattan_(1)

Howard Whitmore performs the comical _Falling in Love with Love_

All performers take the stage together

Brooke, Julianna, and Rebecca Margolin take on _Mountain Greenery_

This cabaret theme celebrated The Songs of Rodgers and Hart, 20th century composers of hundreds of musical theater songs. The 22 selections kept the audience in a jazzy trance

 Have You Met Ms. Jones, the Dancing Margolins, video by Bailey McGuinn:

Some of the performers were Broadway veterans, like Phantom of the Opera’s longest-running Carlotta, Michelle McConnell.

Others were high schoolers, and a few more were not a decade old, from the Cedar Grove and Verona music theater classes.

Stanley Wayne Mathis, whose credits include Broadway’s The Lion King, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, Kiss Me Kate, and The Book of Mormon, plays the high school principal on NBC’s new show, Rise.

Rehearsals? “I got here at 4:30 this afternoon,” said Schall. “We had our music in advance, but the pianist was here starting at 1:30 for everyone to rehearse their performance. So we just kind of do it. It just happens and all comes together!”

Thirteen experienced performers came together to share their passion for musical theater with children across Morris County.