SILVER CREEK – A dedicated group at the Silver Creek Central School District is learning lyrics, memorizing steps and finding the right rhythm to raise funds for their Music Department.

Cabaret Night, a musical event taking place Friday, is the first of its kind in the district. It will showcase not only the various talents of students and staff, but also support the arts. Due to budget constraints, the district is able to stage a student musical only every other year. But in the meantime, the district is brimming with creativity that cannot be suppressed and Cabaret Night is their chance to shine and show some love for the Music Department.

“We wanted to do something for the kids and highlight their talents,” said Carolyn Laurenzi, a high school English teacher who is organizing the event along with middle school/high school chorus teacher Shannon Connors. “And it will help build up the music program.”

The unique event is a compilation of different songs from a variety of musicals. It is not a talent show, because it is all choreographed and staged. There will be soloists, ensembles, dancers and instrumental performances. And as an added bonus, a hotly anticipated staff number will surprise and delight students and the public.

A little-known fact about school musicals – they cost money. School districts must pay rights fees when staging one. The fee varies, but typically run from about $1,000 up to several thousand dollars. And that is before taking into account props, costumes, makeup and other related expenses. Last year’s musical was “Little Women” and the district is still deciding on a musical for next year.

In contrast, Cabaret Night is “virtually free” to stage, according to Laurenzi. A plethora of songs from “Wicked,” “My Fair Lady,” “Into the Woods,” “Hairspray,” “The Sound of Music” and more will be featured. The evening will be broken into two 40-minute acts with an interlude between songs where the two student directors, tenth-grader Samantha Page and senior Katelyn Whitford, will discuss each number and its origin.

“It’s a lot less to memorize,” Laurenzi said. “It’s not as much as a full musical.”

Auditions were held in December and students have been rehearsing four days per week after school. As the date approaches, the talented youngsters are ramping up their efforts with additional weekend rehearsals. The Music and Theater Booster Club is also helping out behind the scenes.

“It’s really interesting to see how the kids are enjoying it so much,” said Laurenzi. “It is almost effortless on my part.”

Music Director Shannon Connors is in charge of teaching music to the students while Laurenzi is overseeing staging and choreography. Student music director is senior Kathryn Cymerman and accompanist for the evening is social studies teacher Kristen Foley.

Cabaret Night will be held Friday otherwise known as April Fools’ Day in the SCCS auditorium at 7 p.m. There will be two 40-minute acts with a 15-minute intermission. Refreshments will be available during a bake sale and there will also be basket raffles. Boxes will be set up for patron donations. The public is encouraged to attend. All proceeds will go toward the 2017 school musical, so you’d be a “fool” to miss it.