Expect the Unexpected: Why You Should see the Misfits Musical Cabaret

Theatre Antigonish has done it again, presenting their new show Misfits Musical Cabaret on April 1st & 2nd at the Bauer Theatre. This show means more than just a great experience, as with every ticket purchased profits go towards saving the Center Point for the Arts in Antigonish. So, what will you experience with your ticket? Well, on Wednesday and Thursday audiences will experience a production that combines all your favorite musicals, from Grease, to Dear Evan Hansen, to Matilda. With their tag line ‘where ‘wrong’ for the role feels so right’, they have casted every act with the opposite of what you would expect. With absolutely zero traditional casting, the show is everything you love about musicals, yet a new production you haven’t seen anywhere else. 

But this show comes at a time when the Bauer Theatre, a landmark of Antigonish as the centre for the creative arts, is in need of help. Their ‘Bridge the Bauer / Build the Future’ campaign is in full swing, as they work hard to reach their goal of $500,000 to restore the Theatre as a Fire Marshal order threatens its life. Already, they have made it to 85% of their goal, pulling every string, and with the help of the return of spring concerts, the goal is within reach.  

It will take the participation of students and the community to help the theatre stay as a focal point for the artistic youth. Without this donation, the Bauer will no longer be able to host public performances. And with that loss is the loss of a place for the families of Antigonish to see the arts, for the youth to express themselves, and to continue being place for a welcoming community for all.  

The Bauer Theatre turned 50 last year, and with this new show, it now more important than ever to go out and support the arts. With budget cuts for the arts in Nova Scotia, now is the time to experience a great show and support local artists who bring life into this community. 

If the threat of the Bauer Theatre closing was not motivation enough, I interviewed one of the performers from the Misfits Musical Cabaret, Parker Anstey, who will be performing a piece from Dear Evan Hansen in the show. A second year StFX student herself, Parker represents arts majors in StFX and the importance of the arts off campus. When I asked about what audiences can expect, she gave me the run down: “The concept is a musical where everyone is in roles they would not normally be in, whether than is an adult playing a child, a man playing a woman and more.” I then asked what her favourite aspect of the show was: “I love that there is a lot of comedy to be found within it. But as well, there is a lot of honesty, and that what makes the show great in my opinion.” 

I wanted to get Parker’s opinion on what it means to be in a production at this time in the art world, and what the show means to her and other actors in the musical. “It has been such a great experience so far. Everyone has been so welcoming, and you know it just feels like one big happy family. And it’s so important to have things like this [musicals and productions] because it gives an opportunity for people to be together and make art.”   

If you want to support the arts, support the community of Antigonish, or are even just looking for something fun to do on a Wednesday or Thursday night, then on April 1st & 2nd come see Parker and more at the Bauer Theatre right on campus. There you will experience a show that is unique, fun, and will do more than just give you a story to tell your friends but will be your contribution to keeping the arts in Antigonish alive.