Courtesy of Melany Perez

Love is timeless — at least, according to the Yale Artists Cabaret, or YAC. Their upcoming show, “Timeless,” is set to run this Friday, Feb. 21. Tickets are available here. 

The YAC presents one mainstage production each semester. Compiling songs across the musical theater canon, they present a themed concert that’s one night and one night only. This time, it’s all about love.

“This one will really pull on your heart strings,” says Abigail Yadegar ’25, one of the performers. “It’s filled with hits that feel warm and familiar, and, if we do it right, you’ll hopefully leave the theater humming a tune and skipping down the street.” 

Cabarets are not a typical musical. They have no linear storyline or set characters. Instead, it’s about the performer having their own chance to shine solo — although, occasionally there will be a duet or trio.

Director Abby Asmuth ’26, who is also a WKND editor at the News, has a deep appreciation for this format. To her, it allows the chance for different voices to be showcased. “Timeless” is no exception.

“We’re going chronologically, starting with jazz musicals all the way to today. And because of that, we’re featuring a lot of different sounds that encourage a variety of types of voices,” Asmuth said.

Asmuth, alongside Benjamin Jimenez ’26, serve as the co-directors and co-producers of “Timeless.” Together, with the help of musical director Christine Dong ’26, they assembled a talented cast of singers ready to sing across the vast musical theater genre. 

The show begins in the early 20th century with familiar jazz standards. Cole Porter, class of 1913, makes an appearance alongside classic musical theater favorites that slowly transition into modern hits of today. Audiences will delight in renditions of “The Music Man,” “Wicked” and even some Disney classics. 

“Audiences will see the breadth of the musical theater canon, and how the sound has really changed and matured over time,” Asmuth said. 

To performers like Yadegar, YAC has exposed her to music she never thought she’d encounter.

“I absolutely love musical theater, always have and always will, but I have so enjoyed discovering new shows, composers, and songs through this process,” she said. 

According to Yadegar, it has been “lovely” to witness talented artists at Yale take such iconic pieces and place their own spin on them. Each singer is given the opportunity to make their song their own, much to the delight of the performer, as well as audiences. Cabarets provide a more intimate space for this that isn’t always guaranteed on a traditional stage, according to Asmuth. 

Yadegar will perform “Till There Was You” from The Music Man, which serves as a reminder that “if we are willing to look for it, love can be found singing all around us.” She said that she hopes audiences will feel empowered to seek out these moments of beauty and love, as they are what “makes life worth living.”

For other performers, like Emma Fusco ’26, “Timeless” is a prime example of the creativity Yale theater has to offer.

“They’ve done a cool spin on this one. It starts with waiting for love, then moves into love, then into heartbreak,” she said. 

“Timeless” is Fusco’s first time performing in a cabaret. Nevertheless, she is thrilled to be given the chance to perform in such a unique setting. 

“Musical theater rocks!” she said. “But seriously, it’s such a fun outlet for performers. It’s one solid hour of fun, beloved songs, and the energy is always really exciting.”

Whether you’re a theater savant or simply a fan of live music, “Timeless” strives to embolden audiences to sing about love. 

The Lighten Theater is located within Pauli Murray College.