by Bea Peterson
Close to 300 people filled the gymnasium at the Hoosac School on Saturday evening, November 1, for the Masquerade Cabaret to benefit the Isabel McGuire scholarship fund. Beloved HFCS math teacher, Honor Society mentor, school sports and arts supporter and community enthusiast, Isabel succumbed to cancer this past year. [private]Those she left behind at the school wanted to commemorate her life and planned the Cabaret. Originally scheduled for the HAYC3 Armory the event “had to be moved when the number of tickets sold exceeded the space limit at the Armory,” according to Aelish Nealon. The venue turned out well, the acoustics were terrific, everything was donated and made for a very special event with plenty of food and drink and silent auction items. The talent was outstanding. Thoughts of Isabel and little snippets of what she meant to various people were interspersed throughout the show, which raised $13,500 for the scholarship fund.
To Isabel, renowned singer Kevin McGuire was simply “cuz.” He headlined the Cabaret, accompanied by Richard Cherry, and mesmerized the audience with songs from the many Broadway shows in which he has performed. In between his songs the extremely talented school staff, former students and friends sang, played several musical instruments and entertained the audience for hours. It was truly a magical evening.
Hats off to event organizers Rob Allen, Ellie Danforth, Jan McGuire and Paul Baker. Outstanding performers included David Sutton, Leslie Green, Michelle Culver, Kim Hayden, Lia Nielsen, Ambigay Yudkoff, Bill Brown, Martha von Schilgen, Adam Cabana, Tony Malikowski, Vicki Benkoski, Maeghan DiMaggio, Todd Wysocki, Patrice Zedalis, Cindy Brewster, Mike Brewster, Lisa Ferrannini, Kelly O’Connor and Rob Allen.
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