The entire auditorium is dim, and the audience is buzzing with excited whispers. It is five minutes until showtime and every seat from the left to the right wing of the stage is full. Even so, people are still filing in one after another, some holding flowers, others holding candy and other gifts to be given to cast members later in the evening. The pouring rain and grey clouds outside didn’t drive anyone away. Instead, the event gave a reason to escape the stifling atmosphere in the house. Suddenly, lights flash and backstage smog is released on the stage.

The 25th Annual Follies has begun.

On May 14, the choir department hosted its annual choir performance at 6:30 p.m. in the Raymond E. Hartfield Performing Arts Center. The recital contained 46 performances done by Musicale, Apollo, Concert men/ women, Rhapsody, and R&B choirs. With the theme being Broadway, the singers expressed their inner theatrical passion through their performances under the spotlight.

“I certainly did not expect there to be so much acting involved,” senior Justin Chen said. “But I loved everything nonetheless. This was my first year attending, and my expectations were met. Every performance had its own bling to it.”

As every performance in Follies had to be auditioned for, this ensured the audience saw the best of McNeil choir. It was difficult for Chen to pick out his ultimate favorite.

“I got emotional when I watched “Mister Cellophane” and was wiping tears at the end,” Chen said. ””You and Me” was especially funny, and I really enjoyed the brightness in “Summertime”.”

For the performers themselves, this year of Follies had a special meaning as it was co-directors Bradley Hester and Susan McCormick’s last time directing the choir. At the end of the night, Chamber Singers put on an unannounced performance of “In Remembrance” for their teachers.

“Even though McCormick and Hester leaving isn’t necessarily the end, more so the end of a beautiful chapter, it still kind of felt like it,” senior Eleanor Wakou said. “So for their sakes, the audience’s sakes, and my own sake, I wanted to give the best performance that I could in order to honor their leaving and to take confidence in how far I’ve come as a singer.”