When Julia Cain '07 called Monday's rehearsal into session, some t-shirts and shoes were shed, revealing tight black leotards and jazz shoes that then littered the floor of the Wilcox Black Box Theater. Some amount of stripping is involved for the freshman revue "Sex on Broadway," a risqué cabaret with show-stopping numbers from "Chicago," "My Fair Lady," "The King and I," "Pippin" and "Damn Yankees," just to name a few of the favorites these newbies have been rehearsing. The one-hour-and-fifteen minute show exclusively displays the talents of Princeton's tiger cubs and will be performed in the Wilcox Black Box this weekend. Cain volunteered to direct after two positive directorial experiences, "The Lottery" and "Patient A," at her Boston high school. Still green from those high school productions, Cain selected by audition a cast of 18 performers, all from varied theatrical backgrounds, to sing and dance in the 15 musical numbers she selected. Cain responded to an email circulated to the freshman class, asking for a director. Cain?s resume fit the bill. "I had directed straight dramas in high school, and I wanted to try a musical cabaret," Cain said. "It was also a good way to meet people . . . other freshmen interested in theater." Though they're still trying to "figure out" Princeton, Cain said, the freshmen have reveled in preparing for their first collegiate theatrical endeavor. Cain met up with Ronee Penoi '07 at many of the theater auditions in early September. Cain mentioned to Penoi that she was interested in directing the revue and Penoi?s enthusiasm proved to be a match that could only be made in the heaven of a dance studio. There have been very few obstacles in what has been an intense and hectic few weeks, Cain said, and despite the lack of musical accompaniment, the cast has been rehearsing with CDs. "The show is . . . pretty much where we need to be," Cain said. The performers are equally unfazed. "It's kind of stressful, but it's not the biggest show," said Katie Smith '07, who participates in "If Ever I would Leave You" from "Camelot." "I'm not worried yet," Cain said, looking over to Penoi, who was rehearsing the blocking to "All That Jazz" with four gentlemen performers. The step to master during the rehearsal was the "funny walk," a step executed on the knees where one foot is placed in front of the kneeling leg and pulls the body forward. "Only real men can do this and look good," Penoi said to her student-performers, demonstrating the move effortlessly in a pair of blue and green frog pajama pants. "It just hurts my knees, I apologize," one performer said, struggling to balance his weight and simultaneously drag his body to the desired spot on the stage. The ensemble fell into giggles because grace was not so easily achieved. Meanwhile, two other numbers were running through their choreography and lines on either side of the center stage in the dimly lit theater. Stage left: "The Cell Block Tango." Stage right: the show?s opening dialogue. Cain chose songs from popular musicals that her performers were already familiar with, such as "All That Jazz" from "Chicago" and "A Little Brains, A Little Talent" from "Damn Yankees." Ashley Solof '07, a sleek redhead, spoke of her exposure to the part of Lola. "Technically and plot-wise, it's a horrible show," Solof said of "Damn Yankees," "but it's really fun to do." Solof, a member of the Triangle Club and a seasoned veteran of Belvoir Terrace, an intensive performing arts summer camp, sings "A Little Brains, A Little Talent." What makes this revue different from those of years past is that there is a plot stringing all the songs together under one theme, the ever popular, love. The show begins with a writer trying to write the perfect love story. The musical numbers follow the progression of the relationship from courting to the breakup.
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