Eden Espinoza
The Columbus Indiana Philharmonic’s Cabaret at The Commons spring lineup includes rising Broadway talent.
“The Cabaret at the Commons continues to give the opportunity to see big city celebrities at a small town price,” said Donnie Robinette, the orchestra’s interim executive director. “The Philharmonic is committed to keeping the music playing.”
Masks still are required at The Commons due to the city’s mandate. And the ongoing pandemic still is limiting crowds to 350 — the sellout number achieved for the last show by network TV star and recording artist Ana Gasteyer — for added distancing.
Yet, the average attendance for the shows featuring some of Broadway’s best is gradually climbing even well beyond the 300-person mark. The concerts generally highlight stage and other top artists in a stripped-down, acoustic format that sometimes has included, pre-pandemic, performers wandering in the audience, plopping on the stage’s edge and crooning near the first row and other close encounters.
Plus, patrons have extolled the events’ close, free parking and more — especially when compared to offerings in some nearby metro cities.
Here is the new schedule:
March 10: Eden Espinosa is most recognized for her critically acclaimed portrayal of Elphaba in “Wicked” on Broadway and in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Other credits include originating the title character in “Brooklyn the Musical,” Flora in “Flora the Red Menace,” and Maureen in the closing company of “Rent”on Broadway. She also is fresh off the Broadway National Touring production of “Falsettos” in which she played Trina.
April 7: Jazzy, soul-oriented Morgan James can sing anything from the stage to Sting, from Motown to the Beatles to Joni Mitchell. Plus, she’s also adept at country-blues. Her Broadway performances include Frank Wildhorn’s “Wonderland,” “The Addams Family,” the first-ever Broadway revival of “Godspell” and “Motown: The Musical.”
May 12: Amy Justman and Gerald Steichen. Justman made her Broadway debut in the revival of “Company,” performing the role of Susan as well as playing piano as part of the actor‐orchestra. Other theatrical credits include “In Transit” and “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love &Murder on Broadway.” Maestro Gerald Steichen has established himself as one of America’s most versatile conductors. He is currently Music Director of the Ridgefield Symphony (Connecticut), and completed twelve seasons as Principal Pops conductor of the Utah Symphony as well as fifteen seasons as Principal Pops Conductor of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra.
For now, only full series tickets are available. Tickets for individual concerts do not go on sale until Feb. 14.
