CMTS Seniors Sing ‘Goodbye' To Columbia In Its 2021 Senior Showcase

By Jane Loughman, Columbia Daily Spectator

May 13, 2021, 8:57 PM

After previously performing in productions such as “Godspell” with the Columbia Musical Theatre Society, Joel Meyers, CC ’21, dons his graduation robe and a mask for one last hurrah. He sings a verse of “Goodbye” in front of Butler Library, performing the “Catch Me If You Can” number with seven other seniors from the Columbia Musical Theatre Society as a farewell to their college performance days and to conclude CMTS’ 2021 Senior Showcase.

For Meyers, “There’s only one word left to sing: goodbye.”

Produced by 2020-21 CMTS president Eliza Ducnuigeen, BC ’21, and co-finance deputy Nakiri Gallagher-Cave, CC ’21, the showcase premiered on the CMTS YouTube channel last week and celebrated the senior members’ time with the musical theater society. Last year, graduates from the class of 2020 performed at home in quarantine; this year, the club had the opportunity to not only film music videos around campus, but also record its performances live in the Glicker-Milstein Theatre while following COVID-19 safety protocols. Although virtual, the showcase was a refreshing return to the stage and acted as a beacon of hope for reopening theaters in the coming months.

The showcase opened on a bittersweet note with the number “For Forever” from “Dear Evan Hansen,” performed by Meyers. Lit by only a spotlight of an otherwise darkened theater, Meyers embodied the nervousness of eponymous protagonist Evan Hansen and the poignancy of the Pasek and Paul song, hitting the high B4 with ardour. Following Meyers, Ducnuigeen performed “Finishing the Hat” from Stephen Sondheim’s “Sunday in the Park with George.” Traditionally sung by a tenor, the song depicts the struggle between creative success and a fulfilling life, and Ducnuigeen’s smooth alto voice is full of the emotion needed for the powerful notes.

Next up was Maura Ward, BC ’21, with “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” from the Carole King jukebox musical “Beautiful.” A piano accompaniment from Ian Yan, CC ’22, complemented Ward’s sweet, joyous voice. Continuing the showcase’s cheery tone, Emma Gometz, CC ’21, and Callum Kiser, CC ’21, put on a jovial rendition of “It Couldn’t Please Me More (A Pineapple)” from the Kander and Ebb musical “Cabaret.” Instead of holding an actual pineapple, they sang harmoniously about a tin can of pineapples. No performer was held back by a mask, and Gometz and Kiser were no exception. Without the ability to stand closer to each other, they used their voices to portray the love between their characters Fräulein Schneider and Herr Schultz.

From one romantic duet to another, Chad Arle, CC ’21, and Sophia Houdaigui, BC ’21, performed “Breaking Free” from “High School Musical” in an film created by Andrea Patella, BC ’21. Beginning with a serious black-and-white shot of Arle on a fire escape, the scene changed to a technicolor journey through Morningside Heights with Arle and Houdaigui hopping, running, and skipping through the streets sporting Sigma Nu fraternity jerseys. They ended their duet on Low Steps with seniors posing for graduation pictures in the background.

For the final number, “Goodbye,” Gallagher-Cave opened the song in front of the steps of the 116th Street subway station. “Goodbye” also featured Alexis Buncich, CC ’21, Mario Alberto Garcia Jr., CC ’21, Hope Johnson, BC ’21, as well as Ward, Ducnuigeen, Gometz, and Meyers. The seniors laughed and danced across campus in the showcase’s finale, and the show closed with a collection of photos of the seniors. With the artistic direction by Johnson, the Senior Showcase was a heartfelt reflection of the 2021 seniors’ time with CMTS.

Staff writer Jane Loughman can be contacted at jane.loughman@columbiaspectator.com. Follow her on Twitter @queenofquirk.

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