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MV Cabaret seeking to create opportunities, monthly shows

A cabaret show celebrating 100 years of Disney music takes place Sunday at the Columbiana Arts Center.

It is the second production by MV Cabaret, which plans to offer monthly performances.

Tyler Stouffer started the group, inspired by a similar organization when he lived in California.

“It was called the OC Cabaret, for the Orange County Cabaret, and they do exactly what we’re going to be doing,” Stouffer said. “They do one monthly show. They invite performers of all kinds — singers, dancers, musicians, everything — and they just kind of get together and put together a show once a month. I really love that idea. I had a great time working with them, so with their blessing, I kind of stole their business model, and we’re gonna rock it out here in the Valley.”

Stouffer, who has appeared in and served as music director for several area productions, in December did a series of holiday-themed cabaret shows with a rotating cast of performers and proceeds from each performance benefited a different group or charitable organization.

That format will continue with future performances. While holiday music was an obvious choice for December’s, January’s theme was a bit more personal.

“I am a big Disney nerd myself, so very selfishly, I was like, ‘Let’s do Disney,'” Stouffer said. “It’s also my birthday week, so as a little present to myself, we did a Disney theme. Also, one of the first charitable organizations that came up when we were discussing moving forward was Akron Children’s Hospital, so I thought it’d be really synergetic to do the Disney show with the Akron Children’s Hospital.”

There are no auditions. MV Cabaret announces the theme of the concert, the date and the location, and the 15 performance slots are filled on a first-come, first-selected basis.

“When they signed up, I asked for four song suggestions that fit the theme,” Stouffer said. “Then when we put together who was going to be singing, I took their song suggestions and put together a cohesive setlist, so we don’t have seven people singing ‘Let It Go.’ It’s really well-balanced, varied. We have lots of brand new stuff. We have some pop music. We also have some classics. So it’s a really balanced show.”

Stouffer will host the cabaret, which will feature performances by Roz Blystone, Craig Conrad, Rachael Conrad, Achilles Cross, Lauren Engle, Rachel Franek, Jojo Garcia, Emma James, Brooke Jonas, Sarahh Kinser, Allyson Kremm, David Leach, Samuel Long, Jessica Ludovici, Madelyn Moore, Erich Offenberg and Ashley Milligan Smith. Vocalists will be accompanied by a band with Jan Crews, piano; Nick Steeves, bass; and Stephen Ley, drums.

“Roz Blystone is singing a Disney mom’s mashup that I arranged,” Stouffer said. “It has ‘Baby Mine’ from ‘Dumbo,’ ‘Candle in the Water’ from ‘Pete’s Dragon’, and ‘You’ll Be in my Heart’ from ‘Tarzan.’ We have some Broadway hits like ‘Home’ and ‘If I Can’t Love Her’ from ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ We have some classics, like ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’ from ‘Pinocchio,’ and then new stuff, like ‘Into the Unknown’ from ‘Frozen 2,’ so literally the entire span of the 100-year Disney history.”

Performers uploaded the sheet music for the songs they’ll be singing for the musicians to practice. Everyone will get together at 2 p.m. Sunday to do a run through for that evening’s show.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, and the show starts at 6 p.m. Admission is “pay what you can” with proceeds benefiting Akron Children’s Hospital.

The plan is to do a concert on the last Sunday of every month at a different location. Stouffer already has venues secured for most months through July.

February’s theme and location will be announced on Sunday through media (MV Cabaret on Facebook, @mvcabaret on Instagram).

All slots for this Sunday’s concert (including three alternates) were filled within 70 minutes of the announcement.

“I wanted to create a space where performers could perform, and they didn’t have to worry about auditions,” Stouffer said. “They didn’t have to worry about any of that or a long rehearsal process. I think the best way to improve as a performer is to perform, so I really wanted to try my best for all the incredibly talented people there are in the area to put my foot in the ring and give people an opportunity to do that.”

If you go …

WHAT: MV Cabaret — “When You Wish”

WHEN: 6 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Columbiana Arts Theater, 5 N. Main St., Columbiana

HOW MUCH: Donations will be collected at the door to benefit Akron Children’s Hospital.

Starting at $2.99/week.

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