Future Broadway star meets Broadway legend

It is always an inspiration to see Oberlin grads make it to the big time. And it is a special treat when they make the occasional visit back to the old stomping grounds. Broadway legend John Kander (OC' 51), one of our most famous graduates, will be returning to Oberlin on May 10 to work with students on "The Kander Revue," a tribute concert under the direction of senior Randy Cohen.

"I wanted to do something different for my final musical theater project," Cohen explained. "I decided I wanted to do a concert version of [Kander's] shows. I figured: he's a grad, I like his music a lot and he's a wonderful guy."

Kander has composed music for a slew of films and broadway musicals, including the current smash revival of Chicago. He is best known for his partnership with librettist Fred Ebb, with whom he composed the score for Cabaret (also currently in a slinky revival on Broadway). He is the winner of two Tony Awards, an Emmy Award and a Grammy Award and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983.

Cohen, a piano performance major, met Kander two years ago when he was invited to campus to talk with students interested in musical theater. Cohen said he kept in touch with Kander because "I've known that I wanted to end up in the musical theater world."

Last semester Cohen began searching for funding and talked to the Theater and Dance Department and the Commencement Committee. "I still don't know why I wanted it to happen during Commencement, but they were looking for an event to schedule in Hall [Auditorium]." Cohen has raised $8000 in order to pay for various expenses the project has accumulated.

According to Cohen, Hall couldn't have handled the sound necessary for "The Kander Revue." Since the 45-piece orchestra will be on-stage, risers are being moved to Hall and special microphones meant for both instrumental and vocal sound will be suspended from the ceiling. According to Cohen, three new wireless microphones have also been purchased through the generosity of faculty, staff, a private donor and various organizations. All the equipment will be donated to the College.

"The Kander Revue" is almost entirely a student effort which Cohen lauded as very talented. Besides the orchestra, which is composed of conservatory students, there will be nine singers.

In talking about his interest in musical theater, Cohen said, "I've always been drawn to live performance; the adrenaline rush every single night. I shouldn't say this but I enjoy it when someone messes up. You get scared and wonder how you'll fix it. That's when you're really working. But that won't happen with 'The Kander Revue'!"

Cohen has been fascinated by musical theater his whole life. He said, "My parents and grandparents were always wonderful about taking me to the theater as a kid. I fell in love with Annie," he remembered with a broad smile. "Then I was Charlie Brown in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."

In high school, Cohen switched over to the pit orchestra/production side of musical theater. He started conducting in tenth grade as he found that directing music in theater productions was a way to combine both of his loves.

When he came to Oberlin, Cohen found there wasn't a lot of musical theater on campus, although he has since seen it grow. During his first year, he and college senior Jacob Hauser put on Godspell and during his sophomore year, Cohen became one of the original Oberlin Musical Theater Association (OMTA) board members as Music Coordinator.

This semester Cohen and Hauser staged a musical of their own called Straight Gin. "It was essentially a dare from Jacob," said Cohen. "He said, 'Think you can write a musical in a week?' I said, 'Sure.'" Hauser wrote the lyrics and Cohen wrote the music. The show was performed in Little Theater in late September and will be performed again for Kander next weekend when he visits.

Remembering his first musical, he said, "It has it's flaws but I'm hoping Kander will point those out while he's here. I think the best way to learn is by being ripped apart."

Cohen also has "real world" experience in musical theater; he worked on Broadway last Spring as assistant music director on the sets of Titanic and King David. His work on Broadway has made him excited to move out to New York after graduation "to see what happens."

"I hope to be able to compose something people will pay money to see someday. But I'll be happy music directing until then. I really like working with so many people," Cohen said.

"The Kander Revue" will be performed May 23 and 24, at 8 p.m. in Hall Auditorium. General admission tickets are $14. A work in progress will be performed May 10 at 2 p.m. Admission to the work in progress is free with OCID, $2 general admission. Straight Gin will be performed Saturday, May 9 at 5 p.m. at the Cat in the Cream. Admission is free.

Coming to the Cabaret: Broadway legend John kander proves that he's still an Obie after all these years by returning to campus to help students prepare for their Commencement concert. (photo courtesy of OMTA)