BWW Profiles: Bridgeport's DOWNTOWN CABARET THEATRE

Bridgeport's Downtown Cabaret Theatre is gearing up for its annual tradition of offering dinner and live entertainment to celebrate New Year's Eve. For theatre lovers, it doesn't get better than this. Bring your own dinner and wine at the cabaret-style tables, watch a musical show, then get up and dance on stage with DJ Kevin from Celebrity Entertainment.

This year's performance is The Music of Elton John by Bennie and the Jets, the renowned Elton John Tribute Band. Leader Greg Ransom will make you believe that you are at a traditional Elton John concert, complete with the costumes and plumage of the past. Ransom's vocals, stage mannerisms and piano playing are a dead ringer for the illustrious singer.

The New Year's Eve tradition is one of the things that makes Bridgeport's Downtown Cabaret Theatre in a class of its own. The New York Times called it "a one of kind showplace." If you think it's just a gimmick, albeit a nice one, you don't know the Downtown Cabaret Theatre. They say you can't be all things to all people, but the Downtown Cabaret Theatre seems able to do that. The venue, located in the Golden Hill section of Bridgeport, is home to the Main Stage Concert, the Bridgeport Theatre Company/Main Stage Theatre, and the Downtown Cabaret's Children's Theatre. Each gets it right. The concerts feature amazing artists play tribute to legendary rock, pop and country singers. If you never saw Johnny Cash or Eric Clapton perform in their hay days, here's your chance for the next best experience. The Bridgeport Theatre Company started strong just a few years ago, and has been going full force ever since with musicals and straight plays such as Next to Normal, To Kill A Mockingbird, and Shrek: The Musical. The Downtown Cabaret Children's Theatre understands that a child-friendly musical is not enough to keep a child interested in a show. Guess what? Kids can't still for long. The shows are 75-80 minutes and have an intermission during which you can buy a theme-related toy. After the show, the actors - still in costume -- pose for pictures with the kids and sign their programs or autograph books. They won't fall asleep in the middle of the first act, as they often do during pricey shows on Broadway, and you won't kick yourself for spending hundreds of dollars on tickets only to leave during the intermission.

Get over your image of Bridgeport. The Golden Hill area is historic and safe. There is ample street parking and an attended parking lot nearby. Parking is just $3.00 and tickets to most shows range from $23.00 to $45.00. The admission to the December 31st event is $75.00, but it includes the concert, dance party, parking, per ticket service fees, party favors, concessions, noise makers, balloon drop, and coffee and a danish. And heat! No freezing your butt off just to ring in the near year! The concert starts at 8:30. The Downtown Cabaret Theatre is located at 263 Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport. For more information, visit www.dtcab.org or www.mycabaret.org, or call 203-576-1636.