The Sierra Repertory Theatre is staging the world famous musical “Cabaret” through the fall.
The show is a musical adaptation of “I Am a Camera,” John Van Druten’s 1951 play based on Christopher Isherwood’s “Berlin Stories.” It opened on Broadway in 1966, and had a run of 1,165 performances at three venues.
In a Berlin nightclub, as 1929 draws to a close, a garish Master of Ceremonies welcomes the audience and assures them they will forget all their troubles at the Cabaret. With the emcee’s bawdy songs as wry commentary, “Cabaret” explores the dark, heady and tumultuous life of Berlin’s natives and expatriates as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich. Cliff, a young American writer newly arrived in Berlin, is immediately taken by English singer Sally Bowles. Meanwhile, Fräulein Schneider, proprietor of Cliff and Sally’s boarding house, tentatively begins a romance with Herr Schultz, a mild-mannered fruit seller who happens to be Jewish. Musical numbers include “Willkommen,” Cabaret,” “Don’t Tell Mama,” “Mein Herr” and “Two Ladies.”
Sierra Rep’s production will be directed by Producing Artistic Director Scott Viets, with choreography by Bryan Knowlton and music direction by Casey Reed. The creative team includes Peter Leibold (Lighting Design), B. Benjamin Weigel (Costume Design), Michael Kramer (Scenic Design). Michael Kelly is the Production Stage Manager.
“I’m excited to pay homage to Bob Fosse’s work in the film,” said Knowlton. “Fosse's catalogue is so vast and while most people think it’s all jazz hands and head rolls, his work is quite technical. I am looking forward to not only working at Sierra Rep for the first time but giving the audience a little taste of Fosse/Knowlton. Both Scott and I have agreed that we want to explore a more glamorous side of the Kit Kat Klub while maintaining its edge. I think people are so used to seeing that acclaimed Donmar Warehouse production or the movie but with our telling of the story, you can expect to see something new. Something perfectly marvelous.”
The production features Jerry Lee as The Emcee; Dianne Manaster as Fräulein Schneider; Marc Geller as Herr Schultz; and Emily Gatesman as Fräulein Kost. Returning to the SRT stage are Matt Alpert, Nicole Stouffer, Marissa Mayer, Charles Bostick, Kelli Brock. Sierra Rep is pleased to introduce Yusef Lambert and Caitlin Rae Campbell to the ensemble, Ben Stasny as Ernst Ludwig, Kyle Smith as Clifford Bradshaw and Jackie Vanderbeck as Sally Bowles.
“Cabaret” runs through Oct. 27 at East Sonora Theatre – 13891 Mono Way, in Sonora. For tickets, call the box office at (209) 532-3120, or purchase them online at www.SierraRep.org, or visit the East Sonora Theatre Box Office from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Performance times are at 2 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Ticket prices range from $32 to $47. Discounts for seniors, veterans (w/ID), children, and students (18 and over with student ID) are available for all performances. Special discounts for groups of 20 or more are also available. “Cabaret” is Rated PG-13 for adult themes and anti-Semitic themes.
