Cabaret
Written by John Kander and Fred Ebb
Book by Joe Masteroff
Directed by David H. Bell
at Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire (map)
thru March 16 | tickets: $40-$48 | more info
Check for half-price tickets
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Come out from the cold and enter the steamy world of ‘Cabaret’
Marriott Theatre presents
Cabaret
Review by Carl Zielke
In a sleazy nightclub in Berlin in 1929, all is frolicsome and beautiful, while outside of the Kit Kat Klub the Nazi atrocities are growing in the real world. Based on a Christopher Isherwood novel "The Berlin Stories" and John Van Druten‘s play I Am a Camera, the legendary musical Cabaret won eight Tony Awards and Bob Fosse’s film adaptation
For this endeavor, Marriott has brought together a wonderful cast, great voices and snappy choreography that provides for several show-stoppjng moments. While Megan Sikora, as English chorus girl Sally Bowles, makes her successful debut at Marriott, others in the cast are Marriott favorites, including Stephen Schellhardt (South Pacific, Full Monty Hot Mikado) as Clifford Bradshaw, and Patrick Sarb (Fiddler on the Roof, Mama Mia!) as the Master of Ceremonies. The main characters of the show are all captivating in their roles, Also noteworthy are the moving performances of Annabel Armour (Frau Schneider) and Craig Spidle (Herr Schultz) in their doomed late-life love affair. Their mature voices blended well and brought a tenderness to contrast the erotic intrigue of this show.
Staged in the round, Director David H. Bell keeps the show’s pacing at a healthy clip, the cast appearing and disappearing via catwalks as well as the side aisles. Nancy Missimi’s bawdy costumes set the tone for the 1920s, helping the audience relate to the era. With Matt Raftery’s high-energy, sexy choreography, Kander and Ebb’s mesmerizing music, and Joe Masteroff’s witty script and confrontational themes, how can this not be an evening to remember? (not to mention helping you forget about the cold winter night outside.)
The prejudice and elitism portrayed in Cabaret unfortunately still exist today – the only thing that changes is the minority du jour. This timeless story of what can take place when people ignore evil makes this production one you do not want to miss!
Rating: ★★★½
Cabaret continues through March 16th at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire (map), with performances Wednesdays at 1pm and 8pm, Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays 4pm and 8pm, Sundays 1pm and 5pm. Tickets are $40-$48, and are available by phone (847-634-0200) or online through TicketMaster.com(check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at MarriottTheatre.com. (Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes, includes an intermission. Note: Recommended for ages 16 and up.)
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Photos by Peter Coombs
artists
cast
Megan Sikora (Sally Bowles), Patrick Sarb (Clifford Bradshaw). Stephen Schellhardt (Emcee), Annabel Armour (Fraulein Schneider), Craig Spidle (Herr Schultz), James Cooper (Ernst Ludwig), Christine Sherrrill (Fraulein Kost), Holly Becker, Brian Bohr, Adam Estes, Chadae Nichol, Alexandra Palkovic, Liam Quealy, Sam Rogers, Haolly Stauder, Jonny Stein, Brandi Wooten, Bernie Yvon, Melissa Zarmba.
behind the scenes
David H. Bell (director), Matt Raftery (choreography), Ryan T. Nelson (music director), Pati Garwood (music supervisor, conductor), Aaron Thielen (artistic director), Tom Ryan (set design), Nancy Missimi (costume design), Diane Ferry Williams (lighting design), Bob Gilmartin (sound design), Sally Weiss (prop design), Peter Coombs (photos).
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