Courtesy of Melany Perez

The Yale Artists Cabaret, an undergraduate performance group, will perform in the Off Broadway Theater this Friday. 

“On the Verge,” will feature sixteen songs, spanning a diverse range of genre and style across the musical theater canon. Performance forms include solos, group numbers and one opening song with a full ensemble. 

 “The theater space of YAC has truly been so welcoming and has taught me so much about the art of performance,” performer Catinca Balasov ’29 wrote in an email.

The show is produced by executive director of the Yale Artists Cabaret Abby Asmuth ’26 and co-directed by Benjamin Jimenez ’27 and Nneka Moweta ’27. 

In an email to the News, Moweta discussed the meaning of the show’s title “On the Verge.”

“Our theme this year is all about the crash out musical theater numbers and the Act 1 ending songs,” Moweta wrote. “Iconic crash out numbers have been making a comeback lately in the musical theater world like ‘With One Look’ or ‘Sunset Boulevard’ from the musical Sunset Blvd. or ‘Rose’s Turn’ from Gypsy. It only feels right to do this theme now.”

Moweta’s interpretation was echoed by performer Angel Wilson ’29, who will be singing  “Dust & Ashes” from “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812,” a musical written by Dave Malloy and based on Leo Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace.”

According to Wilson, the show explores breaking points and the ways people interact with pressure, elements that prompted the psychological transformation of the character he will be portraying in his song. 

“While on the verge, he’s forced to evolve in a truly remarkable way,” Wilson wrote. 

Balasov will be performing in the show’s opening ensemble, which she refused to spoil. She will also be singing “Dead Mom” from “Beetlejuice,” a musical by Eddie Perfect.

“Some of the greatest songs in musical theater come from points of emotional and mental breakdown — from being ‘on the verge,’” Balasov wrote. “Without spoiling too much, in my own performance, I interpret this as an unravelling of built-up tension in my character, and the song is a chance to channel that ‘snap.’”

Melany Perez ’26, the graphic designer for “On the Verge,” reflected on arranging visual elements for a cabaret show, confessing that she initially had difficulty finding visual elements that fit into the show’s exploration of mental breakdown. 

“Honestly it was a struggle to figure out what visual element to use that wasn’t too off-putting,” Perez wrote. Perez added that the final visual designs “focused more on not exactly depicting anger or sadness but more of a blurred emotion, an in-between.”

According to Motewa, the show’s lighting and costumes will follow a red and black color scheme, creating a dark-noir-like aesthetic. Also working as the show’s choreographer, Motewa discussed the role of dance in the production. 

Experienced in choreographing for performances of a larger scale — such as musicals, plays or for the hip-hop group “Rhythmic Blue” — Moweta found choreographing for a cabaret show both challenging and extremely rewarding. 

“For YAC, I created much more toned down choreography to better highlight the vocals and the amazing singers’ performances,” Moweta wrote. “It was honestly a little challenging for me because it’s a style that I’m not completely used to, but I had so much fun doing it.”

For Asmuth, one of the most exciting parts about doing a cabaret show is that it showcases a wide range of talents and allows every performer their chance in the spotlight. 

According to Asmuth, the Yale Artists Cabaret aims to bring people from diverse disciplines of performing arts together. Due to their productions’ relatively limited length and runs, the cabaret provides a platform for people to showcase their talents while balancing other commitments. 

“Our group really aims to prioritize accessibility, collaboration and experimentation in our shows,” Asmuth said.

Balasov, who will make her Yale performing arts debut in “On the Verge,” expressed excitement about working with the other people involved in the show.

“The first time I got to see everyone perform was in early October, and I think my mouth was hanging open in shock for the entirety of the run we did. I was just in awe of the stage presence, vocal talent and powerful performances that I got to see,” Balasov wrote.

“On the Verge” will be performed twice on Friday, at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.