Cinnabar to Welcome 2014 with Cabaret Celebrating Jacques Brel, 12/31-1/19

Following its sold-out run of "La Cage aux Folles," Cinnabar Theater in Sonoma County rings in 2014 with a cabaret celebrating the songs of a legendary European troubadour. "Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris" opens at a special gala on New Year's Eve and continues through January 19.

Jacques Brel attracted worldwide fame as a singer, songwriter, and showman. Now his profound and passionate music bewitches audiences in this witty and wistful show which became a long-running off-Broadway hit. Four talented performers bring Brel's provocative songbook to life. Cinnabar's cozy theater is perfectly suited to this intimate and emotional show.... So pull up a chair, strike up the band, and hear your dreams begin to sing!

"Jacques Brel was one of the most interesting and influential songwriters of the 20th century," said Elly Lichenstein, Cinnabar's esteemed artistic director. "This show elegantly combines the beauty of his love songs and the bite of his war ballads with droll social satire and lyrical observations of everyday life. I'm delighted to find four spectacular singers who feel as deeply about this music as I do and who can convey Brel's incredible range to our audience."

Tickets for the New Year's Eve Gala are $56 and $66. Enjoy delectable desserts and fine wine before the show, and party favors and champagne at midnight.

Tickets for other performances are $35 for adults and $25 for ages 21 and under. Special $9 seats are available for middle- and high-school students as part of "Friday Night Live," a new theater party for local youth that takes place on January 3.

"Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris" stars Julia Hathaway, Valentina Osinski, Kevin Singer, and Michael Van Why. The show features stage direction by Elly Lichenstein, music direction by Al Haas and Robert Lunceford, and choreography by Joseph Favalora. The distinguished design team includes Wayne Hovey (scenery), Pat Fitzgerald (costumes), and Krista Smith (lights). The production is generously underwritten by Michel Snethlage and Barbara Howell.

Every year, Cinnabar Theater produces a thrilling mix of plays, musicals, operas, and concerts in a remarkable range of genres. Cinnabar's Young Rep offers extensive activities for local youth, and the Cinnabar Singers welcome anyone who wants to be part of a chorus. All these events take place in the iconic red schoolhouse perched atop a grassy hill on the outskirts of Petaluma.

Audiences have flocked to performances in this intimate setting since 1972, when Marvin and Jan Klebe established an arts center for the community. Along with their sons, they transformed a charming 1908 schoolhouse into a jewel-box theater that has hosted successful shows for four decades. Now Cinnabar is preparing another year of lively performances for its loyal audience.

Cinnabar Theater is located at 3333 Petaluma Boulevard North, just off Highway 101 and only minutes from historic downtown Petaluma. There's ample parking up on the hill... and a friendly herd of goats grazing in the neighboring field. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 707-763-8920 or visit cinnabartheater.org.

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