Cabaret Soiree 2013 Kicks Off DownStairs at the Maj Tonight

The popular Cabaret Soirée season commences next month DownStairs at the Maj, sizzling hot with national and local acts to blow you away from tonight 15 August to Saturday 5 October 2013. This eight week season plays every Thursday & Friday at 7.30pm and Saturday at 6.30pm.

A host of talented performers including: Christa Hughes (Machine Gun Fellatio) in Neurotic Ladyland 15-17 Aug; Forbidden Broadway 22-24 Aug; Michael Griffiths (Jersey Boys) In Vogue - Songs by Madonna 29-31 Aug; Vincent Hooper in Stolen Treasures 5-7 Sep; Ethel Chop 12-14 Sep; AnaLisa Bell, paying tribute to Marilyn Monroe 19-21 Sep; Ruth Wilkin in Just a Little Something I've Been Working On 26-28 Sep and Ashley Arbuckle, Sue Bluck & Pamela Jansson, Trouble in Tin Pan Alley 3-5 Oct.

Cabaret Soirée 2013 kicks off with singing sensation Christa Hughes (Machine Gun Fellatio, Circus Oz) with her new hit show Neurotic Ladyland - a musical melodrama blurring the lines between madness and brilliance inspired & guided by Norma Desmond (Sunset Boulevard), Baby Jane Hudson (Whatever Happened to Baby Jane) and Little Edie Beale (Grey Gardens). This celebration of mad and wonderful women promises to be cabaret at its most absurd; poignant and deliciously demented with the unique Miss Hughes at her vocally stunning best. Accompanying Christa is jazz pianist Leonie Cohen and Jim Dunlop on drums and backing vocals, from Thurs 15 to Sat 17 August.

The program continues with:

Forbidden Broadway
Greatest Hits - Volume 1
Thurs 22 to Sat 24 August
Created and Written by Gerard Alessandrini
By Arrangement with Origin Theatrical on behalf of Theatrical Rights Worldwide, New York

Andrew Dobosz (Director), Sam McSweeney (pianist), Zane Alexander, Jaya Henderson, Callan Kneale and Rachel Monamy

Please note due to popular demand an extra show has been added on Sat 24 August at 9pm.

This light-hearted show performed by a four-cast ensemble and piano, is an irreverent spoof of the show tunes, characters and plots of many contemporary and well-loved musicals including Cats, Annie, Les Miserables, Chicago, Phantom, and Wicked with parodies of performers like Carol Channing, Michael Crawford, Barbara Streisand and Liza Minnelli.

In Vogue - Songs by Madonna

Thurs 29 to Sat 31 August

Dean Bryant (Writer/Director), Michael Griffiths

Direct from sell-out seasons around the world and fresh from Edinburgh Festival, Jersey Boys star Michael Griffiths IS Madonna. No accent, costume or wig. Just 'Madge' accompanying herself at the piano leading you on a journey through her tough life with tender songs. Strike a pose, get into the groove and express yourself as Madonna opens her heart!

Stolen Treasures

Thurs 5 to Sat 7 September
Vincent Hooper, Ben Clarke (Musical Director)

Having performed in venues from the Busselton Town Hall to Sydney Opera House, charismatic cabaret artist Vincent Hooper is back with Stolen Treasures, unearthing jewels of musical theatre, parodies and ditties which have lurked in the vaults of the Australian and interNational Theatre and giving these gems new life.

Ethel Sings

Thurs 12 to Sat 14 September

Featuring Ethel Chop
Accompanied by Neville O'Grady (Morley RSL)

Be entertained by Australia's favourite polyester-clad battleaxe Ethel Chop (Mix 94.5) as she stars in her very own singing, storytelling, cabaret extravaganza charming you with a jam-packed variety hour featuring informative tales, beaut tunes like David Bowie's Fashion and old favourites There's No Business Like Show Business.

Diamonds - Marilyn Monroe Lives Inside Me

Thurs 19 to Sat 21 September
Written and performed by AnaLisa Bell
Director: Jeremy Rice, Musical Director and Accompanist: Mia Brine

Analisa is here to prove that every brunette can be a blonde bombshell singing the songs made famous by one of the world's biggest movie icons and sex symbols of all time including I Wanna Be Loved By You, Every Baby Needs A Da-Da-Daddy, A Fine Romance and Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend.

Just a Little Something I've Been Working On

Thurs 26 to Sat 28 September

Written, composed and performed by Ruth Wilkin, Accompanied by Trevor Jones

Winner of Best Cabaret Melbourne Fringe 2012 this show is an uplifting and tongue-in-cheek look at cabaret and performers in the style of Chris Lilley and Tina Fey. Featuring original music, it follows the story of a young performer - turned songwriter - turned cabaret artiste, always looking for the next big thing that will make her rich and famous.

Trouble in Tin Pan Alley

Thurs 3 to Sat 5 October

Ashley Arbuckle (MD and performer), Sue Bluck, Pamela Jansson, In Collaboration with Damon Lockwood

The popular music publishing house of Irving, Irving and Smith is in desperate trouble! Unless they can unearth a bona fide, number-one toe-tapping hit they will succumb to the modern horrors of phonographs and radios... Set in 1930's New York, Trouble In Tin Pan Alley features classics from the golden age of songs.

Tickets: Standard *$42, Concession *$38

Bookings: Book now in person at a Venue Box office or Ticketek agencies | 1300 795 012 or ticketek.com.au

(*Transaction fees may apply. A credit/debit card processing fee will apply.)

Pictured: Christa Hughes in Neurotic Ladyland. Photo by Kelly-Ann Denton.

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