CABARET to Open in Florida Rep's 20th Anniversary Season

Florida Repertory Theatre's 20th anniversary season continues with the John Kander and Fred Ebb classic, "Cabaret." The production runs in the Historic Arcade Theatre March 23 to April 11 with four nearly sold-out previews March 20-22. Priced at $55/$45 for regular performances and $35/$25 for previews, tickets are available at www.FloridaRep.org and through the box office at 239-332-4488.

Winner of 12 Tony Awards for its various Broadway incarnations and the Best Picture Academy Award for its film adaptation starring Liza Minnelli, "Cabaret" celebrated its 50th Anniversary last year with a third Broadway revival and a subsequent national tour. "Cabaret" has electrified critics and audiences for half a century with an award-winning score and compelling, timely story about the rise of the Third Reich. Florida Rep audiences will delve into a nightclub in 1920s Berlin and hear some of the most memorable songs in theatre history, including "Cabaret," "Willkommen," and "Maybe This Time!"

The 1920s are drawing to a close and in a flashy Berlin nightclub, the master of ceremonies tells the audience to leave their troubles outside. With the nightclub as its backdrop, "Cabaret" explores the dark and tumultuous lives of Berlin's natives and expats as the German Republic slowly yields to the emerging power of the Third Reich. Electrifying and harrowing, the story is told through the eyes of an American writer on journey of self-discovery and awakening in a dangerous time.

The production features and all-star line-up of Florida Rep ensemble members, familiar guest artists, Broadway veterans, and some cast members direct from the recent Broadway production and national tour. The cast is led by regional and New York veterans Gary Troy (Florida Rep debut) as the Emcee, Jillian Louis (Florida Rep debut) as nightclub singer, Sally Bowles, Britt Michael Gordon ("The Unexpected Guest") as the American writer in Berlin, as well as Michael Marotta ("The Fantasticks"; dir. "Erma Bombeck: At Wit's End"), Broadway actress and Drama Desk nominee, Lori Wilner (Florida Rep debut), Florida Rep ensemble member, Jason Parrish ("How the Other Half Loves"), and Jackie Schram ("The Last Night of Ballyhoo).

As the Kit Kat Klub dancers and various other roles, the cast also features Haley Clay (Florida Rep debut), Hillary Ekwall ("Cabaret" national tour; Florida Rep debut), Dillon Feldman ("The Miracle Worker"), Alexis Fishman (Florida Rep debut), Leeds Hill ("Cabaret" on Broadway/national tour; Florida Rep debut), Andrew Hubacher ("Cabaret" national tour; Florida Rep debut), Ysabel Jasa (Florida Rep debut), Virginia Newsome (Florida Rep debut), Julia Rifino (Florida Rep debut), Sean Royal (Florida Rep debut), and local young actor, Liam Hutt (Cypress Lake Middle; Florida Rep debut).

New York-based director/choreographer and regional theatre veteran, Stephanie Card, directs the production and comes to Florida Rep for the first time after extensive work with The Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, NY, Hudson Stage, North Shore Music Theatre, and others. Florida Rep ensemble member, Arthur D'Alessio choreographs the production after a successful run as co-collaborator and choreographer on Florida Rep's original revue, "Night and Day," and past productions of "Too Marvelous for Words" and "Fascinatin' Gershwin." Out of Boston, musical director Alex Shields makes his Florida Rep debut after recent work as resident musical director with Flat Rock Playhouse in North Carolina, and extensive work in the northeast.

The design team includes set designer Jordan Moore ("Night and Day"), lighting designer Tyler M. Perry ("The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee"), ensemble costume designer Stephanie Genda ("The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee"), sound designer John Kiselica ("The Miracle Worker"), and production stage manager Janine Wochna ("How the Other Half Loves"). Kody C. Jones, Florida Rep Education Director serves as fight choreographer, and ensemble member, Greg Longenhagen, is the dialect coach.

New for the 2017-2018 Season, weeknight performances in both performance venues (Tues.-Thurs.) begin at 7PM. Weekend evening performances remain at 8PM and matinees on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday are still set for the popular 2PM curtain time.

"Cabaret" is generously sponsored by Chippendale Audiology.

"Cabaret" plays in the Historic Arcade Theatre March 23 through April 11 with discounted previews March 20-22. Performances are Tuesday-Thursday at 7 PM, Friday and Saturday at 8 PM, and 2 PM matinees on Wednesday, Sunday, and selected Saturdays.

Priced at $55/$45 for regular performances and $35/$25 for previews, single tickets are now on sale through the box office at 239-332-4488 and online at www.floridarep.org. Subscriptions for the 2017-2018 season offer the best seats and the biggest savings.

Florida Repertory Theatre performs in the Historic Arcade Theatre and the ArtStage Studio Theatre on Bay St. between Jackson & Hendry with limited free parking in the Fort Myers River District. Visit Florida Rep online at FloridaRep.org, and by following the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.