Compass Rose Theater’s Compass Rose Cabaret is a joyful musical celebration of the company’s 15 years. Performing in a church because of renovations at their usual home of Maryland Hall, six actors and a pianist, individually and together, sing medleys and songs from previous productions, in between telling the story of Compass Rose’s history, as scripted by Barrett Johnson. Directed by Madeline Austin, with choreography by Tori Farnsworth and musical direction by Jack Benedict, it is a charming way to end the season.
Performers Baylor Cherneski, Jewel Freeman, Lily Glista, Barrett Johnson, Keila Mumphord, and James Toler all hit the right emotional moments, from despair and defiance to comedy and compassion. The songs selected for the production are among musical theater’s most well-known. Cherneski sings “Over the Rainbow” with yearning and “Tomorrow” with courageous optimism. Freeman brings a jazzy joyfulness to “Feeling Good” and a sorrow to “Memory,” reaching out and sighing at times. Glista sings “Almost Like Being in Love” with sheer joy, and displays great comic timing in “I’m Not That Smart,” expertly bringing the song’s quirky nature to life. Johnson brings a lightness to “The Lusty Month of May” and a brassy candidness to “Dance Ten, Looks Three.” Mumphord sings “I Speak Six Languages” with comic confidence, even as she admits her exhaustion at perfection, and “Love Me or Leave Me” with wild, neurotic love. Toler brings passion to “The Impossible Dream” and a nostalgia to “Edelweiss.”
The full company’s opening number, “Consider Yourself,” is filled with warmth, and its ending, “Seasons of Love,” is joyful, reminding us to “Measure your life in love.” A medley from Little Shop of Horrors moves from lively to heartfelt and loving. “La Vie Bohème” is sassy and celebratory.
As the show’s choreographer, Farnsworth creates fun movements, with Glista, Mumphord, and Freeman revolving together in “Matchmaker” or playing with golden top hats in “One.” Musical director and accompanist Jack Benedict begins the show by mentioning the big highlights of 2011, including the founding of Compass Rose. From his piano stage right, he plays the music beautifully enough to be heard without drowning out the singers. The show balances passion and poignancy with lots of humor, from eagerly rushing into “The Sound of Music” to adding parody lines to the lyrics of “What I Did for Love.” Performed in the unusual space of a church atop a hill, with windows looking out, Compass Rose Cabaret entertains and enchants.
Running Time: Approximately 90 minutes, including one 10-minute intermission.
Compass Rose Cabaret plays through April 26, 2026, presented by Compass Rose Theater performing at Unity by the Bay Church – 4 Pointless Forest Trail, Annapolis, MD. For tickets ($35–$55), call 410-980-6662 or purchase online.
The playbill is online here.
