Journey to the PastA Musical Theatre Cabaret

StarringBecca Nowak and Dr. Kelly Ford

Lighting Design Direction/Music Direction Sound Design Becca Nowak Becca Nowak and Dr. Kelly Ford Becca Nowak

Light Board Operator House Manager Jake Jedele Carissa Villanueva

Special Acknowledgements...

Kerry Graves Mark DiPietro Dan Walker Joni Warner Amy SturtevantMichael Yuen Leah Crocetto Betsy Lackey Michael Lackey

Tina Nowak Jeff Nowak Dani Nowak Bethany Nowak Joe NowakAcapelicans Ariel Sheets Ally Szymanski Alissa Mickevicus

Kylie Bushman Xavier Sarabia Sam Quigg Bobby GlowackiKaren Nowak-Rochford Jen Nowak Gary Nowak Brianne Nowak

Check out my website...beccanowak.weebly.com

The Collaboration Process

Putting together this recital, or cabaret as you will, has been a process in which I am beyond grateful for. In this industry, as a performer, it is so

important that you are able to collaborate with the artists you are working with. Dr. Kelly Ford gave me exactly that. Our lessons consisted of learning

for the both of us. I would lead the lesson, and through having no choice but to voice what I was thinking, learned exaclty how to talk to an accom-panist to relay what I wanted for a specific song. Once we had a handle on each song for this show we started to try new things with each piece. We

thought it would be interesting to put our own spin on these classic songs that everyone knows, after all that is what we strive for as artists. We must have sang each song 20 different ways before we came to a conclusion of

exactly what we wanted. Our favorite piece in this show is “There’s A Fine Fine Line” it highlights exactly what this collaboration created. Then of

course, “The Manly Medley,” which was a two week endeavor of listening to male ballads for hours trying to piece them together. I have never been

more proud for my name to be attatcched to such an exciting project.

Becca’s BioBecca Nowak will be graduating at the end of August with a BA in Musical

Theatre and a minor in Studio Art. She can not remember a time when she was not singing. Her first show ever was in 4th grade (Carousel) at the Croswell Opera House. Her most recent credits include Ilona Ritter in She

Loves Me (Siena Heights), Alice Beineke in The Addams Family (Siena Heights), Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods (Croswell Opera

House), and Holly in The Wedding Singer (Ann Arbor Civic). Becca has also been featured on Fox Toledo News a few times for several Croswell

promotions. She was a part of “A Night at the Croswell,” in which she shared the stage with Shonn Wiley and Michael Lackey; “The Motown

Concert” in which she sang backup vocals for Tatiana Owens, enjoys her time as a lead vocalist in the Dan Kesterke Band (ilovethedkb.com), and

has been a member of Acapelicans (Siena’s premiere acapella group) since her freshman year. Becca would like to thank her family and friends, most

importantly her Mom, and Dad, Bethany, Dani, and Joe. Also Dr. Kelly Ford, Leah Crocetto, and Michael Yuen for getting her where she is today.

She is truly grateful for each and every opportunity she receives.

Journey to the Past..........................................................Lyrics by: Lynn Ahrens Music by: Stephen Flaherty

This first song was given to me by Leah Crcetto in my first ever voice lesson in 3rd grade. “Journey to the Past” is from the movie (now musical) Anastasia. This song acts as a

narration to set up the story in which I am trying to tell. When I sing this song I imagine flashbacks of my childhood when there were no worries and everything was simple. It

takes me to a happy place, that place in which one wants to go on a “Journey to the Past.”

Quiet.....................................................................................Music and Lyrics by: Jonathan Reid Gealt

“Quiet” is a cabaret song from Jonathan Reid Gealt’s album “Thirteen Stories Down.” I believe everyone is able to relate to this song in their own sense. I personally relate to this song because I constantly feel as though I am fighting a battle to be heard, where you feel as though you could not be any more obvious, and still no one quite hears you; and it is

almost as if you are completely invisible.

Someone Like You......................................................Words by: Leslie BricusseMusic by: Frank Wildhorn

“Someone Like You,” was originally performed in the musical Jekyll and Hyde. I discov-ered Jekyll and Hyde a few summers ago when I was in a musical review, and someone

sang “This is the Moment.” I fell in love with the musicality of the show. This specific song, yes, is overdone; however, I will always love how heartfelt the lyrics are. “If someone like you, loved someone like me, then suddenly nothing would ever be the same.” It rings out

with this desperation for romance.

How ‘Bout A Dance..................................................Music by: Frank WildhornLyrics by: Don Black

“How ‘Bout a Dance,” was origianlly performed in the musical Bonnie and Clyde. When I first heard this song I imagined a smoky bar. A guy at a table across the room, and a girl on the small raised stage. She notices him as the song starts and something draws her in. As she gets to the end of the song she realizes she has walked all the way to his table and

holds his hand in hers. The song works best, in my opinion, with this subtle sexiness.

The Physician.......................................................................Music and Lyrics by: Cole Porter

“The Physician,” was originally performed in the musical Nymph Errant, then also in the movie Star! featuring Julie Andrews. I know everyone has fallen for someone at some

point in their life, but were not quite sure how the other person felt. This song portrays that giddy feeling of love towrds someone who you just do not know how they feel in

return....with a quirky feel, and a lot of big words.

Fifty Percent...........................................Lyrics by: Alan and Marilyn BergmanMusic by: Billy Goldenberg

“Fifty Percent” is originally from the musical Ballroom. In it’s original context, it is likely to hear a woman of later age performing it; however, when you listen to the words you

realize just how effective the song can be performed when you put yourself into the shoes of that figurative “other woman” in any situation.

When She Loved Me...........................................................Music and Lyrics by:Randy Newman

“When She Loved Me” is from the movie Toy Story. In the context of the movie, Jessie (the doll) sings this song about her owner, and how now she feels lonely. I re-discovered

this song right about the time when my grandma was in the hospital almost two years ago now. My grandma was one of strongest women in my life at the time, but because I had become so consumed with school, naturally I drifted away from her. When she passed

away, I felt like Jessie, lonely, and forgotten. But when I sing this song, it takes me back to all of the wonderful times I shared with her, and it eases my mind and reminds me that

I will see her again one day, and even though that may not be for a while, she never truly left me, she is with me everyday, watching over me. So this song is for my grandma. My

own personal guardian angel. I miss you and will always love you, grandma.

When It All Falls Down......................................................Music and Lyrics by:Christopher Curtis

“When It All Falls Down,” was originally performed in Chaplin the Musical. In the show, this song is performed by the character Hedda Hopper who was a real person. Hopper

was a stage and screen actress who, as her career came to an end, found a niche in writing gossip columns for The New York Times. Her frequent attacks towards Chaplin helped in denying him re-entrance to the United States in 1952. This song seemed to be the perfect ending to Act 1, showing how cruel people can truly be in the industry, with the perfect

amount of jazz and sass!

- Intermission -(I know you probably don’t need it, but I do)

Manly Medley.....................................................................Arr. by Becca Nowakand Dr. Kelly Ford

This arrangement is a collection of sixteen of my favorite musical theater man songs. We see medley’s like “The Alto’s Lament,” “The Soprano’s Lament,” and the many others done in cabarets all over the world, and we wanted to create our own spin on these medleys. So

we took these manly songs that every female has wanted to sing at some point in their life and put them together so that the lyrics kind of made sense by the end of the song. (“All I Care About is Love,” “I’ll Cover You,” “Close Every Door,” “Who Am I?,” “Moving Too

Fast,” “Who I’d Be,” “Dancing Through Life,” “Sandy,” “If I Can’t Love Her,” “Empty Chairs and Empty Tables,” “My Girlfriend Who Lives In Canada,” “Out There,” “I’m Alive,” “Cor-

ner of the Sky,” “Go the Distance,” “This is the Moment”)

Tell Me On A Sunday..........................................................Lyrics by: Don BlackMusic By: Andrew Lloyd Weber

“Tell Me On A Sunday,” was originally performed in the musical Song and Dance. The ultimate break-up song. In this day and age it is so much more likely to break up through a text, or over the phone. In this song you are taken through a journey of knowing things

are coming to an end, but trying to have the stength to get through it in one piece. She keeps repeating, “tell me on a Sunday, please.” Have the strength yourself to give that per-

son the closure they need and deserve.

There’s A Fine Fine Line.....................................................Music and Lyrics by: Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx

“There’s A Fine, Fine Line,” was originally performed in the musical Avenue Q. Our not so classic spin on this song takes us to a very cynical portrayal of the aftermath of a break-up. I can’t imagine singing the song in any other way after discovering all of my subtext

behind each lyric for this performance.

Right In Front of Your Eyes.......................................Music by Matthew SkylarLyrics by: Chad Beguelin

“Right In Front of Your Eyes, was originally performed in the musical The Wedding Singer by the character Holly. I was lucky enough to portray this character last summer with the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre’s production of The Weddning Singer directed by Ron Bauman-

is. Holly flirts with anything that walks and likes poking fun at the fact she is still single and alone. This song shows her transformation in Act 2 when she realizes that the person

she wants to be with was ‘right in front of her eyes’ the entire time.

Home....................................................................................Music and Lyrics by:Charlie Smalls

“Home” was originally performed in the musical The Wiz sung by the character Dorothy. She sings this right before she goes back to Kansas, a touching song about what she has learned and how she can’t wait to go back home. Back to the context of this show...Life

throws us many curve balls, but every experience makes us grow a little bit more. I have learned so much since I have been at Siena, but I can not wait to leave and be thrown into the real world and put everything I have learned here to use. Then one day, maybe I can

come back “Home” and share what I have learned.

There will be a small reception afterwards, with desserts and drinks!

Thank you times a million for coming and showing your support,

it truly means the world to me!

Love, Becca Nowak