CLC Theatre presents summer production of 'Cabaret'
"Cabaret," a Tony Award-winning musical telling the story of Berlin's infamous Kit Kat Club during the rise of Nazi power in 1931, will be presented by the College of Lake County departments of theatre, music and dance. Seven performances will be presented in the Studio Theatre of the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts over two weekends: July 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m.; July 22 at 2 p.m.; and July 26, 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. and July 29 at 2 p.m.
The story revolves around young American writer Cliff Bradshaw and his relationship with English cabaret performer Sally Bowles. Cliff is seduced by the Kit Kat Klub, where the emcee, Sally and a raucous ensemble take the stage nightly to tantalize the crowd, enticing them to leave their troubles outside.
The show is being directed by Craig Rich, chair of the theatre program, with musical direction by Jean Hersey, orchestral direction by Paul Hefner and choreography by Valerie Alpert, chair of the dance program. "I chose to direct 'Cabaret' because there are a number of great roles for our students and because the story feels so timely," Rich said. "The character of Sally Bowles has one of my favorite lines in the play. Ignoring the seriousness of what is happening around her and the politics of the time, she says, 'Politics? . . . But what has that to do with us?' There may be no troubles inside the Kit Kat Klub, but we know that won't last forever. In some ways, 'Cabaret' is a cautionary tale-a reminder for all of us in 2018 to stay engaged, to care about what happens to the people around us, and to not repeat the mistakes of the past."
In CLC's production, the live music and singing inside the Studio Theatre's intimate space will have the audience feeling as if they are right inside the Kit Kat Klub, Rich added. Featuring memorable songs such as "Willkommen," "Money," "Don't Tell Mama" and "Maybe This Time," the show contains a powerful message to follow your heart when the world loses its way. The music is by John Kander, with lyrics by Fred Ebb and book by Joe Masteroff. It is based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood. The performance contains mature language and subject matter.
General admission tickets are $17 ($14 for CLC/Teen/Seniors 65+), including a JLC $2 facility fee. Tickets are available in person at the Box Office, by phone at (847) 543-2300 or online at www.clcillinois.edu/tickets. A buy one ticket, get one free offer applies to the July 20 and 26 show (in person or phone orders only). Additional convenience fees apply to mail or online purchases. The Box Office is open Monday through Friday, 12-6 p.m. and 60 minutes prior to each performance at 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. To request sign language interpreting, please contact the Box Office at least two weeks in advance.
Cabaret Cast
M.C.: Dylan Thomas (Winthrop Harbor)
Sally: Christine Barreca (Grayslake)
Cliff: Joshua Pride (Wadsworth)
Schneider: Nicole Frier (Gurnee)
Schultz: Brian Flanders (Grayslake)
Kost: Kassandra Phelan (Waukegan)
Ernst: Alessandro Poehlman (Gurnee)
Kit Kat Women/Ensemble: Maddison Crecchio (Round Lake Beach), Delaney Katz, (Lake Zurich), Rena Beyers (Wauconda), Chantal Moody (Round Lake), Raya Plata (Lake Bluff) and Caitlin Wolfe (Grayslake).
Kit Kat Men/Ensemble: Riley Beckett (Lake Villa), Benjamin Compton (Winthrop Harbor), Alexander Gray (Zion), Tyler Gray-Henry (Grayslake) and Sam Kim (Hawthorn Woods).
The CLC Theatre Department offers 13 different courses and an Associate in Arts degree, with emphasis either on theatre performance (acting/directing) or technical theatre (design/stage management). For more information, contact the Communication Arts, Humanities and Fine Arts division at (847) 543-2040 or visit www.clcillinois.edu/programs/the. Or become a fan of the College of Lake County Theatre Department Facebook page.