SPIN’s 2023 Cabaret: A Celebration of Love in All Its Forms

The student-run theater company showcased Luther performers and featured selections from various musicals, with an overall focus on the idea of love.

William Scott, Staff Writer • October 31, 2023

Luke Smith (’27) sings “Love Thy Neighbor” from the musical “The Prom” at the SPIN Cabaret on October 21. Photo courtesy of Norah Moravec (’27).

Students, families, and guests of all kinds filed into the Jewel Theatre on Saturday, October 21 for SPIN’s 2023 Cabaret performance. The cabaret consisted of a collection of songs with a common theme that followed the title of the show: “All About Love.”

The show consisted of 18 total songs from various musicals and Broadway shows all with the common theme of love. The introduction from SPIN directors and leaders described the desire to portray all types of love throughout the performance, including romantic, familial and platonic. Selections from musicals such as “The Prom,” “Les Misérables” and even the movie “La La Land” were part of the features performed. Luke Smith (‘27) one of the many first-year performers in the Cabaret, performed “Love Thy Neighbor” from “The Prom.”

“It was an amazing experience,” Smith said. “[The Cabaret is] run by students and they really understand student life, which is why the rehearsals felt very low commitment. It was really great to see all the other talented students as well.”

SPIN is Luther’s student-run theater organization that puts on performances quite often. The cabaret is one of two SPIN events hosted every year. The other event is the 1440 musical in February, which is famous for its very short rehearsal time.

Almost every performance in the Cabaret was accompanied with live piano. Student pianists got the chance to share their talents with the audience and actors. Reece Wright (‘25) was one of the pianists, accompanying a total of 5 different songs throughout the night.

“Everyone in the Cabaret is so naturally talented,” Wright said. “Everyone was very intuitive, which made it very easy to work with them. Rehearsal with actors only took like half an hour, so it wasn’t a big commitment at all.”

Fans of theater and musicals can look forward to the Luther College Theater Department’s production of “Big Fish” which opens on November 10 in Jewel Theater. “Big Fish” will run on November 10, 11 and 15-18, and each performance will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at tickets.luther.edu.