Kelli Harrington Stars in Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre's MASTER CLASS, Now thru 11/24

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre will open its 2013-14 season withMaster Class, Terrence McNally's stage biography of legendary opera diva Maria Callas. Inspired by a series of master classes conducted by Callas at the Julliard School, this sparkling, rich play with incidental music by Verdi, Puccini and Bellini puts la diva back onstage as she coaxes and inspires her "victims" while she rivetingly regales us with secrets professional and personal of her own.

Starring as Callas will be the actress and classically trained singer Kelli Harrington, who was honored with Jeff Awards in 2012 and 2013 as Best Actress in a Musical for Theo Ubique's The Light in the Piazza and Aspects of Love, respectively. Theo Ubique Artistic Director Fred Anzevino will direct the play with music, and Jeff-winning Jeremy Ramey (musical director for the company's The Light in the Piazza and Aspects of Love) will be music director as well as play the on-stage accompanist, Manny. Also returning from Theo's The Light in the Piazza is Rachel Klippel, who received a Jeff nomination for her work in that show and will play the soprano, Sophie, in Master Class.

The cast also includes opera singers Ashlee Hardgrave (as the soprano, Sharon) and Kevin Siembor (as the tenor, Tony). Paige Keedy, the production's real-life stage manager, will portray the stagehand. Understudies for the 1st and 2nd sopranos are Caroline Wright and Sarah Simmons. Rounding out the creative team are Adam Veness (scenic & sound designer), Brian Hoehne (lighting designer), Bill Morey (costume designer) and Paige Keedy (prop designer and stage manager).

Master Class, which opened on Broadway in October of 1995, won the 1995-96 season's Tony and Drama Desk awards for Best Play as well as Tonys for Zoe Caldwell as Leading Actress in a Play and Audra McDonald for Supporting Actress in a Play. The national touring company visited Chicago's Shubert Theatre in February of 1997, with film actress Faye Dunaway starring as Callas. The play was also revived on Broadway in 2011 with Tyne Daly as Callas.

MASTER CLASS by Terrence McNally, directed by Fred Anzevino, with music direction by Jeremy Ramey, features Kelli Harrington as Maria Callas. Previews tonight, October 11, 12, 13. Press Opening Monday, October 14 at 7:30pm. Runs through November 24, 2013 (Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8pm, Sun at 7pm) at the Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre at No Exit Café, 6970 N. Glenwood Ave. Call 800-595-4849 or visit www.theo-u.com for tickets and more information.

Tickets (which include dinner packages at some price levels) are $20 - $45 for previews October 11-13) and $25 - $59 for regular run (October 14 through November 24, 2013).

Dinner Menus (Choice of meat or vegetarian options):

Master Class Menu:
Salad: Autumn greens, roasted apples and onions, honey cider vinaigrette
Entree: Duck a l'Orange, herbed wild rice, maple-roasted carrots and sliced fennel
Dessert: Spice cake with caramel vanilla bourbon sauce

Vegetarian Option:
Salad: Autumn greens, roasted apples and onions, honey cider vinaigrette
Entree: Roasted vegetable risotto cakes, with chevre dijon sauce, maple-roasted carrots and sliced fennel
Dessert: Spice cake with caramel vanilla bourbon sauce

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