Adelaide Cabaret Festival Announces 2016 Program with Megan Hilty & More

Proudly presented by Adelaide Festival Centre, the 2016 program features more than 425 Artists in 150 performances over 16 days and nights. There are 42 international artists from as far afield as the United States, Ireland, United Kingdom and Germany as well as the best from Australia with over 383 Australian artists including 182 from South Australia. The 2016 Festival showcases 6 world premieres, 8 Australian premieres, 35 Adelaide premieres as well as 13 Adelaide exclusives. The vibrant program also features 11 international shows.

The Festival kicks off on the Queen's Birthday long weekend with the perennially popular Variety Gala, a glittering night of stories and song. Artistic Directors Ali McGregor and Eddie Perfect play host to a supercharged showcase of international and local stars flaunting their cabaret wares. The annual "Cabaret Icon Award" will also be presented to a cabaret luminary.

The popularity of the Gala has ramped up each year and so this year audiences can delight in two Gala's. The Festival will conclude with The Last Galah, hosted by Ali and Eddie and paying tribute to Australia's greatest songwriters featuring performances by local and international cabaret stars.

In a cabaret first, not just the adults are privy to a stunning preview of the Festival, for the first time the Festival features the Family Gala, an opportunity for the whole family to dress up and walk the red carpet. Once again hosted by Ali and Eddie it will sample the Festival's finest. Offering jazzy beats, interpretative dance, comedy and roller-skating, ukulele-playing-madness and maybe even 'a bear in there'.

In approaching this year's artistic vision Ali McGregor says "Cabaret is often made up of seemingly random pieces of other genres; Music, Theatre, Dance, Comedy and Cabaret. These performers take these elements, and with them create something unique and beautiful. We wanted to capture this, alongside the beauty of seeing behind the façade of theatre into where all the real magic happens. We created our season image from thrown-away set, lighting, storage and the detritus of the theatre. We shaped it by hand (and sweat and tears and 10 hours in an empty rehearsal room) and along the way found treasure from theatrical trash."

Alongside the stylised visuals of Adelaide Cabaret Festival in 2016, the programme line-up has been designed with the same creative eye. Eddie Perfect says "Each piece of the 2016 program represents a surprising and intelligent suggestion not of what Cabaret IS, but of what Cabaret CAN BE. You may be drawn in by one particular artist in the program, but Ali and I have designed the program so that it's the moment of WHAT COMES NEXT that leads you to an exciting discovery. We're excited not to dictate to our audiences, but to invite you all to come and experience WHAT COMES NEXT."

Adelaide Cabaret Festival features an incredible star studded line up of Sexy Sirens and Chanteuses. In an amazing Cabaret Festival coup Adelaide will play host to the world's most famous burlesque star Dita Von Teese.

Described by Vanity Fair as the Meryl Streep of burlesque, Dita is the embodiment of a retro Vargas pinup girl from the 40s. Her Adelaide premiere will be a 90 minute spectacle of her most impressive work joined on stage by "the hardest working man in show business", MC Murray Hill (Club Swizzle) along with a cast of Dita's favourite burlesque acts from around the globe.

Megan Hilty, critically acclaimed star of stage and screen, is set to shine when she performs in Adelaide. Megan rose to prominence on Broadway for her musical roles, including her performance of Glinda in Wicked and Doralee Rhodes in 9 to 5: The Musical. Megan is also well known for her starring role as Ivy Lynn on the musical-drama TV series Smash. Her voice has been featured in multiple Disney and DreamWorks Animations.

Another Glinda taking centre stage, Helen Dallimore, who played opposite Idina Menzel and has been a constant favourite on our small screen, most recently as Olivia O'Neil in Here Come The Habibs. Don't Bother to Knock is her tribute to the platinum pioneer performers who've led the musical way from Marilyn Monroe and Mae West to Dolly Parton and Madonna.

Artistic Director Ali McGregor is Australian cabaret royalty and in Decadence, Ali will guide you through torch songs, jazz reworkings and trashy mash-ups in an evening of irresistible cabaret.

Cabaret allows the voice to shine in 2016 when Ms Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton takes to the Playhouse stage. Lisa has performed as a back-up singer for icons such as Tina Turner, Chaka Khan and the Rolling Stones since 1989. Her personal moving story was told in the Oscar-winning 2013 documentary Twenty Feet From Stardom and now stepping into the spotlight Lisa, accompanied by co-conspirators Grand Baton, a virtuosic psychedelic soul trio, will perform iconic songs, including her Grammy wining original 'How Can I Ease The Pain'.

Also shining are Cabaret Masters. One of the finest interpreters of song, Barb Jungr returns to perform the works of song writing legends Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen in Hard Rain. Adelaide's own fine interpreter Robyn Archer will delight audiences in not only one but two shows. Dancing on the Volcano will see her truly authentic interpretation of Germanys' cabaret from Brecht and Eisler, Frederich Holleander, Wilhelm Grosz, Kurt Tucholsky and more. On the opening weekend Archer, along with a range of Festival artists, will pay special homage to the famous cross-genre composer Kurt Weill in the World Premiere of The Weill File.

For more than a decade, Adelaide Cabaret Festival Crooners have been swooning audiences. This year's lineup is no different including Australian star of stage and screen Tom Burlinson performing Sinatra at the Sands. Kick back to the big band sound of Frank Sinatra featuring the Sensational All Star Big Band. Bobby Fox, Australia's original Frankie Valli, will have you swinging to his grooves and high altitude falsetto. Share Bobby's journey 4 Seasons in 1 Night as he provides you with a behind the scenes insight into the world of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

Cabaret has been characterised by political events and Satire since it began and this year's Festival will once again tickle the funny bone. The Wharf Revue are back celebrating 10 years and in typical style there ain't no party like a Wharf Revue party. And after sell-out seasons at the Edinburgh Fringe and coming direct from the UK Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho is a mischievous political pantomime with an 'iron lady' punch.

The Composer is Dead stars Frank Woodley with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra in a wonderful combo of classical music and comedy with an intriguing murder mystery for the whole family. Three men at the top of their game are Tripod with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra - see the boys push their genius for song writing to a whole new level in This Gaming Life, a love letter to video games. Amy G stars in Entershamement a mad mash of physical, musical, stand-up and improvisational comedy that will leave you in stitches.

Friends of Barbra The Way We Weren't revives Barbra Streisand's iconic power duets combining comic silliness with musical know-how. Star of ABC TV's musical comedy Sammy J & Randy in Rickett's Lane - Sammy J is one of the most exciting performers on the Australian comedy scene. Dash Kruck has been described by the Herald Sun as "the dashing love child of Eddie Perfect and James Corden" so don't miss I Might Take My Shirt Off.

Parody gets a nod and you're invited to an intimate evening with blockbuster sensation Adele, Rumour Has It. Naomi Price as Adele is part MTV concert, part bedroom lament.

Contemporary Cabaret are artists at the cutting edge of their genre; At the top of his game is Sven Ratzke. Starman sees Ratzke inhabits Bowie's multiple personas - a mad, bizarre, androgynous universe of incredible music and outrageous costume and Yana Alana infamous for her nude, rude and lewd cabaret appearances will appear fully clothed in Covered.

Cabaret will be stripped bare as local clown hero Hew Parham washes away your sins in Rudi's The Rinse Cycle. Andrew Strano's Nailed It is a celebration of the insane, brutal and hilarious things we do when we're falling in and out of love and Die Roten Punkte is wild rock-und-roll Cabaret.

Two of Australia's rising cabaret stars Maeve Marsden and Libby Wood explore the history of gin through story and song, Mother's Ruin: A Cabaret about Gin. Sheridan Harbridge's Songs for the Fallen is a wild and hilarious tale of a woman who knew one thing: good girls don't make history.

Insanely talented Songwriters always stand out. The master of melancholy, gifted composer and singer Hue Blanes will appear in And The Moon. And don't miss overtly talented, Emmy award-winning composer, lyricist, performer, producer and music director Lance Horne launch his album First Things Last.

Cabaret always features Variety and this year's Festival doesn't disappoint. Miss Behave's Gameshow is inventive, funny and shrewdly subversive entertainment, it contains warnings of course language, nudity and haze effects - anything may happen.The Birds is avant garde variety in full flight created and directed by Moira Finucane and Jackie Smith who return with a brand new gothic, erotic airborne variety show.

The Backstage Club is variety personified. Expect the unexpected as cabaret's elite team-up for unique collaborations and celebrations of all things cabaret. Hosted by Amy G and Miss Behave, Jan van de Stool and Libby O'Donovan.

'Great Duets' and 'Power Ballads', enter Kate Ceberano and Paul Grabowsky, two of Australia's most respected musicians reinterpret some of the great love songs of the past 50 years in Love Songs; Rhonda Burchmore and Trevor Ashley, bold, brassy, raunchy and raucous in Twins will pay tribute to the icons of outrageous glitz and glamour, reinventing the likes of Sonny and Cher, Judy and Liza, Kermit and Miss Piggy; see David Hobson and Colin Lane collide In Tails - you'll bear witness to a unique and hilarious experiment as they each have a go at what the other does, see the comedian and the opera singer swap roles.

A marriage of mirth and melody, Harry Shearer is a comedy writer-actor who voices some of our favourite characters in The Simpsons and is equally famed for his role in cult mockumentary This is Spinal Tap whilst Judith Owen is a soulful singer and confessional songwriter who has collaborated with Ruby Wax and toured with Roxy Music's Brian Ferry, they make a formidable duet.

Southern Belles is packed full of powerhouse vocals, from powerhouse women Jane Clifton, Nichaud Fitzgibbon and Carla Lippis, they celebrate the sassy, red-blooded female musicians of the late 60s and early 70s.

'Classic Cabaret' and 'Song Cycles' go hand in hand. The Juliet Letters featuring Zephyr Quartet stars a stellar South Australian line-up: Michaela Burger, Cameron Goodall, Jude Henshall and Jamie Jewell will perform an acclaimed and unforgettable song cycle that meditates on the dying art of letter writing and very nature of correspondence. John Thorn is one of cabaret's favourite musical directors and he'll finally be stepping into the spotlight joined, onstage by his talented daughter Bonnie and special guests featuring witty works, bittersweet ballads and songs inspired by the 1920s.

It wouldn't be cabaret without a 'Tribute' - enter Joe Stilgoe and Songs on Film. The internationally acclaimed singer, pianist and songwriter pays tribute to 100 years of music that aided and abetted the legendary status of Hollywood cinema. Toby Francis's award-winning cabaret lifts the curtain on 'Bat Out of Hell' composer Jim Steinman. Love and Death will boast a collection of some of the biggest rock songs of all time. Join the fun as Debora Krizak pays special tribute to icons of screwball hilarity Betty White, Carol Burnett, Lucille Ball, Phyllis Diller, Joan Rivers and our very own Jeannie Little in Laugh Be a Lady.

Award-winning vocalist Emma Pask is one of Australia's favourite voices in jazz. A Latin Fiesta combines Spanish, Portuguese and English vocals, takes you on a vivid musical voyage deep into hot Latin America.

In the Balance is a unique collaboration between Restless Dance Theatre and The Audreys, exploring the intricacies of how people behave and interact at a party.

Get ready for the popcorn and choc tops, in another Cabaret first when the Festival introduces Movie Nights. The films will be introduced by the stars themselves: Betty Blokk Buster Follies introduced by the Cabaret Icon Award Winner Reg Livermore; Michelle Ryan introducing her inspirational story of dance and disability Michelle's Story; Ms Lisa Fischer will introduce the Oscar winning documentary 20 Feet from Stardom, and David Bowie's cult hit Labyrinth will be introduced bySven Ratzke.

And foodies don't miss out with the return of the Cabaret Dinner hosted by Eddie Perfect. This is high culinary art paired with high-kicking entertainment. This year's dinner features a menu designed by Adelaide's renowned father and son chefs Peter and Chris Jarmer, a generational gustation matched with wines from Barossa Valley favourite Grant Burge.

Now in its seventh year, the 2016 Class of Cabaret once again sees the brightest rising stars from secondary schools across South Australia. Lighting the path is Adelaide's vocal darling Charmaine Jones with support from professional cabaret performers Michael Griffiths and Amelia Ryan. Not to be missed are the Class of Cabaret Graduates: Naomi Crosby, Benji Riggs, Mellie Tantalos, Harry Nguyen and Jemma Allen coached by vivacious cabaret artist Libby O'Donovan.

And if that wasn't enough there are a number of FREE events to engage with during the Festival. Every night in the piano bar enjoy a variety of free cabaret entertainment hosted by piano-man extraordinaire Trevor Jones. Stay on in the piano bar for Late Night DJs every Friday and Saturday night from 11.30pm as well as Sunday night of the opening weekend. Songwriter Series will see creative minds of cabaret and musical theatre composer's show-and-tell how they get their creative juices flowing guided by co-Artistic Director Eddie Perfect. Award-winning international composer and sought after musical directorLance Horne will share his industry insights and experiences in an Insights Workshop. Still want to know what's inside a song or a story? Join Eddie Perfect, Ali McGregor, Barb Jungr and Reg Livermore on stage as they swap Art Stories and reflect on those moments that led to their success, hosted by theatre director Chris Drummond. Throughout the Festival there will be a plethora of great local musicians taking part in Bands in the Wintergarden.

ABC 891 Peter Goers lovers will be delighted as Peter brings his evening program for a live broadcast 'audio vaudeville cabaret style' in the piano bar with a smorgasbord of special guests from the Festival. Whilst ABC 891 Presenter Sonya Feldhoff hosts Cabaret Catch-up where Sonya coaxes artists to reveal their creative impulses and artistic desires.

Aged between 18 - 30? Why not join Adelaide Festival Centre's Greenroom program to get cheap tickets, free workshops and special events join online www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/greenroom

GreenRoom Speakeasy: experience exciting new work from our talented team of GreenRoom members, these emerging cabaret performers will sing songs and share stories on Wednesdays in the Wintergarden.

Full program and tickets are on sale to subscribers from Sunday 3 April and the general public from Wednesday 6 April through BASS 131 246 or online www.adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au Program details are available in the Adelaide Cabaret Festival brochure, get one free by calling BASS 131 246 or log onto the Cabaret Festival website.