PlayMakers Repertory Company concludes its Mainstage Season with the Tony Award-winning musical "Cabaret" now through April 21 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
The musical takes the audience inside the tantalizing world of The Kit Kat Klub in 1930s Berlin, where beguiling, self-destructive chanteuse Sally Bowles lives with no thought for tomorrow. The decadence of the Weimar nightclub under the sway of its flamboyant Emcee becomes a shattered mirror reflecting a society spiraling toward disaster with the rise of Hitler's Nazis.
The book for "Cabaret" was written by Joe Masteroff, based on the play "I Am a Camera" by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood. The show features music and lyrics by the legendary songwriting team of John Kander and Fred Ebb. The production to be presented by PlayMakers was originally co-directed and choreographed by Rob Marshall ("Chicago") and directed by Sam Mendes.
PlayMakers' production will be directed by Joseph Haj, the theater's producing artistic director, who also helmed PlayMakers' 2011 hit musical "Big River" featuring The Red Clay Ramblers.
"Cabaret" will feature Obie Award-winner Taylor Mac as the lasciviously charming Emcee. He started the New Year Off-Broadway in the title role of Bertoldt Brecht's "Good Person of Szechwan." He also played Puck in "A Midsummer Night's Dream".
Lisa Brescia, who will play Sally Bowles, was most recently seen in Theatre Raleigh's production of "August: Osage County." She has appeared on Broadway as Donna in "Mamma Mia!," Elphaba in "Wicked" and Amneris in "Aida."
Mark Hartman is music director for the production. His Broadway credits include "Sondheim on Sondheim," "Avenue Q," "Miss Saigon" and "1776."
PlayMakers is based in UNC's College of Arts and Sciences. The Drama League has named PlayMakers one of the "best regional theatre companies in America."
All performances will be in the Paul Green Theatre in UNC's Department for Dramatic Art on Country Club Road. Show times will be 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and Sunday, April 7; 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 6 and 20; and 2 p.m. Sundays. Additional performances have been added to the previously announced run due to popular demand. For a complete schedule, more information and to purchase tickets, call (919) 962-PLAY (7529) or visit www.playmakersrep.org. Tickets are $15 to $50.
Lisa Brescia as Sally Bowles
TAYLOR MAC as the Emcee (standing) with the Ensemble
Lisa Brescia as Sally Bowles (center) and the Kit Kat Klub dancers
Lisa Brescia as Sally Bowles and JOHN DREHER as Cliff Bradshaw
TAYLOR MAC as the Emcee (center) and the Kit Kat Klub dancers
JOSH TOBIN as the Gorilla and TAYLOR MAC as the Emcee
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