The University of Michigan Musical Theatre program has partnered with Cabaret 313 to present “Lost in Ann Arbor: Detroit Edition” at Detroit Opera’s Black Box theater on Jan. 25. The annual concert features songs selected by the students showcasing their vocal talents. There will be two performances at 6:30 and 8:45 p.m., though the 6:30 performance sold out at the time of this publication.

The students have personal connections to the songs chosen, and the concert gives them a chance to present their work to an audience. It also gives the students a chance to perform in a professional venue in Detroit, before taking their work to other parts of the world.  

The name of the show is a play on the musical theatre term “lost in Boston,” which refers to songs that were cut from musicals during the rehearsal process before making it to Broadway. Similarly, the songs chosen for “Lost in Ann Arbor” were considered but ultimately not selected for the students’ Senior Showcase performance in New York City this spring. 

One Detroit’s Chris Jordan attended a night of coaching sessions for a behind-the-scenes look at the show. He talks with University of Michigan Musical Theatre professors Catherine Walker and Maurice Draughn, Cabaret 313 Executive Director Lulu Fall, and several of the University of Michigan students performing in the concert.