“If music is food for the soul, then this show is a freakin buffet,” boldly wrote a Benet Academy student from 2005 regarding the Variety Show. Previously, the Benet Academy Variety Show was a longstanding and beloved tradition in which students of all skill levels could perform in Saint Daniel’s hall. 

According to alumnus and current Spanish teacher Señor Marth, the show goes back to the 1970s. This event used to have over 50 acts, hence the need for auditions. In addition, the show was often sold out. In the Student Government office, there are old Variety Show flyers saying, “This seat is reserved, please no fighting.” 

Another staff member who recalled the Variety show is the Manager of Admissions and Recruitment, Mrs. Peceniak. Peceniak joked, “It used to be a big deal!” Peceniak graduated in 2009 and is one of several teachers who recalls seeing the show live years ago. In fact, she even performed in it as a freshman.

If this event had such extreme success for generations, then what happened? This change of pace may have connections to the high number of clubs at Benet Academy. In years past, the Variety Show was the only opportunity outside of the musical to perform on stage. 

In recent years, the Guitar Club, One Act Showcase, Orchesis, and Muse have all gained traction. These new performance-based clubs allow students to perform at more specialized shows multiple times a year. With so many performances often drawing from the same pool of performers, fewer people are interested in the Variety Show. After all, one can sing only so many solos in a year! 

Furthermore, the date of this year’s show added to the conflicts. Being the same weekend as the Avions and Illinois Music Education State (ILMEA) further decreased participation. As some of Benet Academy’s most talented singers and dancers could not attend, even fewer acts entered. 

Finally, everyone’s favorite villain can be blamed—COVID. Only the seniors in the building were at Benet Academy before COVID. Therefore,  few have seen the glory of the Variety Show. If people knew how big of a deal the show used to be, there may have been more excitement and participation. Unfortunately, the Variety Show might be another victim of the Pandemic. 

Overall, Student Government is hopeful that the Variety Show will return next year and be bigger than ever. Besides, how else will, as said a former performer, “Your soul be soothed by the scrumtrulescent sounds cascading into the endless abyss of your mind like a flaming golden hawk.”