Quinte Cabaret  Review

The Quinte Cabaret, performed recently at the newly renovated Empire Theatre in the heart of Belleville's downtown Village, was a resounding success.

Because there were so many people involved, with so many conflicting schedules, there was only time for one rehearsal, two days before the performance.

On rehearsal night nearly 100 of Quinte's most talented singers, musicians, dancers and magicians milled about the theatre, waiting their turn. Many of them were meeting for the first time.

"A rehearsal for a live show this big often looks like chaos," said Debra Tosh, Master of Ceremony for the night. The talented local actor should know. She has starred in some of the Belleville Theatre Guild's finest productions.

The Empire theatre is no stranger to chaos. It's been from glory to defeat and back since it first opened as the McCarthy Theatre in 1938. The building sat vacant through the 1960s. It was a bicycle store for many years before re-opening recently after a multi-million dollar renovation.

"Our biggest challenges at the rehearsal was no electricity for the band," said Carol Feeney, as electricians scurried about bringing the Empire's stage fully to life.  Feeney is the Executive Director of the Quinte Arts Council and one of the main organizers of the event.

With the electricity turned on, performers like lead guitarist Mark Rashotte could take the stage. Mark is a member of The Beatles tribute group All You Need is Love. He also happens to be the man who brought the Empire back to life.

John Smale of Pace Design in Belleville designed all the renovations. "Mark wanted a multi-purpose theatre that could handle everything from rock and roll bands, to stage plays, to classical concerts." said Smale.

"It's a stage designed for the performers," Rashotte said. " Everything is top of the line. We put $300 thousand into the best sound equipment we could find. We put the same amount into the lighting system."

On rehearsal night the women from the Sweet Adelines crowded into the Green Room talking excitedly as they waited their turn on stage. Upstairs in the dressing room the Classical Strings in Motion tuned their instruments while young dancers from the Quinte Ballet School limbered up.

It was well after midnight when the last of the entertainers made it to the stage. The assistant stage director marked each performer's spot with colored tape. Sound and light people were looking a little tired after a hectic night.

Stage manager Marilyn Lawrie came on stage to offer suggestions to a performer. It's chaotic Lawrie conceded. But worth it to see so many talented people working together to make the production a success.

And a success it was two nights later as the patrons rose from their seats at the end of the performance to give every one involved in the Cabaret a standing ovation.

"Perhaps we can make this an annual event," said Carol Feeney. Judging from the audience response there are lots of area people who hope she's right.