Whether you know the name Hal Prince, you certainly know his songs. The renowned theater director and producer worked on some of the most famous musicals of all time: The Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, and many more. Mason Cabaret 2025 at George Mason University pulls from Prince’s impressive roster of work for an evening of song and dance. In the 13th rendition of this annual tradition, talented student vocalists bring many of Hal Prince’s most beloved musical numbers to the stage with joy and jubilation.
The evening kicks off with a spirited execution of “Cabaret,” sung by Jack McAfee, from the 1966 musical of the same name set in Berlin before the second world war, followed by a full cast performance of “Something’s Coming” from West Side Story. The vocalists appear on stage as sleek and united in their black and white attire. It’s immediately clear that the audience is in for a treat.
Each and every vocalist proved their talent throughout the evening, with bright, clear, and powerful voices all around. Enthusiasm and wit were not lacking in the performances, and the musical accompaniment by Joe Walsh was nothing less than superb.
“Steam Heat,” a jazzy number from the 1945 musical The Pajama Game, was choreographed by cast member Brea Davis and performed by Davis, Kaitlyn Shifflet, and Spencer Wilde. The trio deftly handled both bowler hats and handheld microphones in this animated and hilarious song-and-dance number.
Many of the vocalists stand out in solo performances, including Emma Harris singing “Kiss of the Spiderwoman” from Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Jalen Whitemore singing “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” from Evita, Katie Rowe singing “You’ve Got Possibilities” from It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman, and Shannon Harrel singing “She Loves Me” from She Loves Me. These individual performances allow the audience to appreciate the exquisite voices of the talented cast.
“All I Ask of You” from The Phantom of the Opera is a song that even a Broadway novice will be sure to recognize. The hauntingly beautiful number was sung by Aurora Powell and Spencer Wilde in a memorable duet.
Some of the most joyful moments came from the all-cast ensembles, including “Side by Side by Side” from Company, featuring Spencer Wilde as the bachelor Robert and the rest of the cast as his coupled-up friends. Another number full of fun was “Broadway Baby” from Follies, performed by Brea Davis, Arrieon Grovner, Emma Harris, Elise LeGault, and Jennah Sidiabed.
In between songs, spoken quotes from Hal Prince give a glimpse into the illustrious career of this industry titan. This thoughtful detail ties the evening together in a lovely way.
Mason Cabaret 2025 closes out with “Our Time” from Merrily We Roll Along, featuring the entire cast in a powerful and cohesive final performance.
The rest of the performances include: “Heart” from Damn Yankees, performed by Jax Berg, Elias Collier, Marcus Martinez-Breitenstein, and Owen Potts; “Comedy Tonight” from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, performed by Derek Castillo, Arrieon Grovner, Shannon Harrel, and The Full Company; “Matchmaker” from Fiddler on the Roof, performed by E. Griggs, Elise LeGault, and Jennah Sidiabed; “One Good Break” from Flora the Red Menace, performed by Jax Berg, Elias Collier, Brea Davis, E Griggs, Arrieon Grovner, Nicholas Koch, Emma Harris, Jack McAfee, Aurora Powell, and Kaitlyn Shifflett; “Being Alive” from Company, performed by Jace Courrier, Aurora Powell, Owen Potts, Katie Rowe, Amollie
Stoermer, Spencer Wilde, Brett Womack, and Jalen Whitmore; “Pretty Women” from Sweeney Todd, performed by Elise LeGault and Jennah Sidiabed; “Oh What a Circus” from Evita, performed by Derek Castillo and the full Cast; “Answer Me” from The Band’s Visit, performed by Brett Womack and the full cast; “This Is Not Over Yet” from Parade, performed by Jace Courrier and Amollie Stoermer.
An interesting facet of the evening was a post-show talkback, in which four cast members answered questions and offered perspectives on the performance. During this section, an audience member remarked that they had seen every annual performance of the Mason Cabaret, and that it just gets better every year.
This touching tribute to Hal Prince was put on with care, grace, and an excess of capability. Featuring a lineup of incredibly talented student vocalists, Mason Cabaret was, as always, an annual treat for the community.
Running Time: 65 minutes, no intermission.
Mason Cabaret 2025 (Broadway’s Prince: The Musicals of Hal Prince) played from January 31 to February 2, 2025, presented by the George Mason School of Theater, performing at the Harris Theater, George Mason University, 4471 Aquia Creek Lane, Fairfax, VA.
Broadway’s Prince: The Musicals of Hal Prince
Conceived By Erin Gardiner and James Gardiner
Directed by Erin Gardiner and James Gardiner
Musical Direction by Joe Walsh
Stage Manager Bree Nosrat
Production Manager: Lena Salins
Lighting Design by Luna Jones
Technical Direction by Carrie Cox
Light Board Operator: Sydney Schepisi
Audio Engineering by Wilfredo Zuniga
A2: Chris Arnhold
ASU SUPPORT UMBRELLA
Micah Stromberg: ASU Production Manager
Carrie Cox: ASU Technical Director
Stephan Starling:Assistant Technical Director
Ethan Osborne: Scene Shop Supervisor
Tom Terlecki: Venue Technical Director
Adrianna Daughtery: Harris Technical Director
Laurel Dunayer: Costume Shop Supervisor
Sarah Alspach: Costume Shop Assistant
Alexandra Beverina: Costume Shop Assistant
SCHOOL OF THEATER INTERNS
Luna Jones: Lighting Intern
Mary Clare Bernier: Lighting Intern
An Tran: Sound Intern
Andy Brown.: Production Management Intern
CAST
Jax Berg
Derek Castillo
Elias Collier
Jace Courrier
Brea Davis
E Griggs
Arrieon Grovner
Shannon Harrel
Emma Harris
Nicholas Koch
Elise LeGault
Marcus Martinez-Breitenstein
Jack McAfee
Owen Potts
Aurora Powell
Katie Rowe
Jennah Sidiabed
Kaitlyn Shifflett
Amollie Stoermer
Brett Womack
Jalen Whitmore
Spencer Wilde
