Church Hill Theatre transforms itself into Berlin’s seedy Kit Kat Klub for an Oktoberfest of music from September 21 through October 7. Kander and Ebb’s classic Broadway musical recreates 1929 Germany, where the Nazis are rising to power, Jewish citizens fear for their lives and expats from around the world experiment with artistic and sexual freedom. The Kit Kat Klub’s compelling master of ceremonies introduces both his performers and two intertwined love stories. Both couples, British singer Sally Bowles and writer Cliff Bradshaw and their landlady, who loves a Jewish shop-owner, struggle with the discovery that politics and prejudice can trump love and desire. Filled with wonderful songs, such as “Willkommen,” “Don’t Tell Mama,” “Money,” “Maybe This Time,” and “Tomorrow Belongs to Me,” Cabaret is guaranteed to produce laughter, tears and lasting memories.
Cabaret is based on John Van Druten’s play I Am A Camera, which was itself based on Christopher Isherwood’s novel Goodbye to Berlin. The Broadway musical version, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, opened on Broadway in 1966, playing for 1165 performances. It won eight Tony awards, including the prize for best musical, and the New York Drama Critics Circle award for best musical. Liza Minnelli starred in the film version and several revivals have enjoyed great success on Broadway and around the world.
The Church Hill Theatre production is led by Director Marcia Gilliam and Musical Director Brittney Lynn. Gilliam recently directed The Drowsy Chaperone at Tred Avon Players and last appeared at Church Hill Theatre in the cast of Triumph of Love. Lynn most recently directed CHT’s Green Room Gang Senior production of The Phantom Toll Booth. Felicia Tuttle is the choreographer. And of course, the Kit Kat Klub features a live band, conducted by Lynn.
The Emcee is played by Richard Vitanovec, who heads the theater programs at Easton Middle and High Schools. Sally Bowles is played by Katherine Cox, a Washington College grad making her debut at CHT. Cliff Bradshaw is played by Jacob Mueller, a senior at Easton High School. Herb Ziegler appears as Herr Schultz and Kathy Jones plays Fraulein Schneider. Others in the cast are: Liz Clarke as Fraulein Kost; Patrick Fee as Ernst Ludwig; John Beck as the Customs Officer, a German sailor and a Maitre D’; Bryan Betley as a German sailor and a gorilla; Colin Graves as a German sailor; Zach Schlag as Bobby and Kyle Cain as Victor. Beck, Betley, Cain, Graves and Schlag also cavort as Kit Kat Klub chorus boys. The wonderfully tacky Kit Kat Klub girls are played by Krista Cain, Emily Chiras, Liz Clarke, Chelsea Clough, and Felicia Tuttle.
Cabaret opens on September 21 and runs through October 7, with performances at 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoons. Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for members and $10 for students. Reservations and credit card payment can be made by calling the Church Hill Theatre office at (410) 758-1331 or online at churchhilltheatre.org. Church Hill Theatre’s musicals usually sell out, so reservations are strongly advised. This production is sponsored by the Queenstown Bank.
Church Hill Theatre
410-758-1331
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