Record number of alumni to hit the stage for Highlands musical fundraiser

More than just a few Highlands High School alumni are collaborating for a musical cause.

Each year, the Alumni Cabaret concert unites dozens of musical alumni with current Highlands musical students for an evening of entertainment filled with song and dance.

This season, 38 alumni are scheduled to perform.

“This year, we have a record number of alumni returning to participate, and this fundraiser has grown each year. One hundred percent of our proceeds from cabaret go directly to the musical, and it’s our largest fundraiser,” said Michael Zeiler, musical director, choreographer and Highlands alumnus.

All proceeds will benefit Highlands’ 2020 spring musical production of “Mamma Mia!”

This is the district’s 33rd spring musical, and Zeiler’s 10th year serving as director.

The two-hour show is family-friendly and open to the public.

“This isn’t exclusive to our district. We welcome any and all to this evening of entertainment,” Zeiler said.

Last year’s event raised about $2,000, exceeding the $1,500 goal.

Zeiler said this year’s theme, “Nothing Can Capture A Heart Like A Melody Can,” aims to celebrate the past decade of spring musical performances under his direction, including “Tarzan,” “Fame,” “Grease: School Version,” “The Little Mermaid” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

Highlands 1989 alumnus Erich Lascek returns this season, noting his high school musical experience at Highlands was influential.

“I got my first love and passion for performing here on the Highlands stage,” Lascek said. “I chose the song, ‘This Is How It Ends,’ from the musical ‘Big Fish,’ which is a song about the love of family, friends and togetherness and I’m glad to be able to share that with the audience.”

A preshow beginning at 6:45 p.m. will feature a performance by the Variations Show Choir.

Deluxe basket raffle tickets will be available at 6:30 p.m. and a 50/50 raffle, refreshments and desserts will be available for purchase.

Highlands 2019 grad Larkin Richards said her first Cabaret performance as an alumna will be a homecoming of sorts.

“Musical is a family you are forever a part of,” Richards said. “This year I’m on the other side of the experience and I get to be back onstage doing something that will always feel like home.”

The audience will be treated to a sneak-peek performance of “Dancing Queen” by the 68-member cast of “Mamma Mia!”

Highlands 2019 alumnus Braden Goldberg plans to perform “Those Magic Changes,” a song from “Grease,” one of his past musical performances.

“I came back because musical was a big part of my life. I made my best friends there, and I have memories I’ll never forget,” Goldberg said.

Alumni and students will unite onstage for the finale song, “Can’t Help Falling In Love.”

“Ten years have flown by as a director, and I’m grateful these magical alumni performers are coming back each year to contribute,” Zeiler said.