Musical 'Cabaret' to debut Nov. 11

Thu, October 15, 2009 |

A dark tale of love in Nazi Germany, intertwined with the sounds of jazz and energetic dancing, will be told in the musical "Cabaret," opening Nov. 11 at Valparaiso University.

"Cabaret" will be performed at Valpo's University Theatre Nov. 11-13 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 14-15 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for senior citizens and students and may be purchased by calling the Valpo Box Office at (219) 464-5162 or online at http://www.valpo.edu/vuca.

Set in 1931 Berlin as the Nazis are rising to power, "Cabaret" focuses on nightlife at the seedy Kit Kat Klub, and the plot and music revolves around the 19-year-old English cabaret performer Sally Bowles and her relationship with young American writer Cliff Bradshaw.

R. Andrew White, associate professor of theatre, is directing "Cabaret."

"If the audience members are familiar with the movie, which focuses primarily on Sally and Cliff, they can expect from Valpo's production a more expansive plot that encompasses the relationships of other principle characters and more music than in the film," White said. "Audiences can also expect to see some of the more sinister aspects of Weimar Berlin to come into focus.

White noted that rather than recreating the Kit Kat Klub, the settings will be implied by using minimal set pieces.

White said that for the first time in many years, a faculty member will perform in a University production in a major acting role. Ralph Klapis, adjunct instructor in music, will play the role of Herr Schultz.

Maura Janton Cock, musical director for the production and adjunct instructor in music, said "Cabaret" will feature music familiar to many audience members and create a reality that will make them feel a part of the production.

"Audience members will recognize the title song, 'Cabaret,' from the 1972 movie version of the musical with Liza Minelli," said Cock. "Other familiar tunes are the 'Money Song' and 'Willkommen.' An eight-piece on-stage band provides the accompaniment, giving the audience the feeling of being in an actual nightclub."

Parents should note that the content of the play is not suitable for children.

White's directing credits at Valpo include last fall's "Beyond Therapy" as well as "The Heidi Chronicles," "Miss Julie," " Noises Off," "Romeo and Juliet," "Anna Karenina," "Chekov in Light" and "Shadow and August Snow." White has worked as an actor in numerous Chicago theatres including Steppenwolf, European Repertory Company, Wisdom Bridge and Plan B Productions, as well as in Russia at the Tabakov Theatre and American Studio of the Moscow Art Theatre.

"Cabaret" is based on the play by John Van Druten and on the "Berlin Stories" of Christopher Isherwood, and has a deep history on stage and screen. The musical was first produced and directed on Broadway by Harold Prince in 1966 and starred Jill Haworth as Sally Bowles and Joel Grey as the emcee. In 1972, Bob Fosse directed the film, which starred Liza Minelli as Sally Bowles and Joel Grey again as the emcee. In 1998 Sam Mendes and Rob Marshall co-directed a third revision on Broadway, which starred Natasha Richardson in the role of Sally and Alan Cumming in the role of the emcee. "Cabaret" has won dozens of Tony and Drama Desk awards for acting, directing, costumes, lighting and choreography.

In addition to its entertainment value, White said he chose "Cabaret" because of the educational content.

"'Cabaret' offers Valpo students the chance to learn something about a period of history to which they have no connection," White said. "It also raises the significant question of how an atrocity like the Holocaust could ever have happened."

Valpo's mainstage productions during the rest of the 2009-2010 season are the Valpo Dance Ensemble's spring concert and "Twelfth Night" by William Shakespeare. For more information about upcoming productions or to purchase tickets, call the Valpo Box Office at (219) 464-5162 or visit the Department of Theatre at http://www.valpo.edu/theatre.