Interview: CABARET Premieres at Washington County Playhouse

"Right this way, your table's waiting" for Cabaret at the Washington County Playhouse, opening this Saturday, September 26 in Hagerstown, MD.

Directed by Shawn R. Martin, with musical direction by Daniel Speis and choreography by Alyssa Little, Cabaret is set during the Nazi Party's rise to power in Berlin during the 1930's. American novelist Clifford Bradshaw arrives in Berlin to work on his latest novel and instead, meets and falls in love with the lead singer at the Kit Kat Klub, Sally Bowles. As their friends and neighbors in their boarding house are gradually affected by the growing rise of the Nazi Party, the situations are commented upon in dark and decadent musical numbers in the Kit Kat Klub.

The musical cast enjoyed working with each other to bring their characters to life.

"The cast has been fantastic to work with. Everyone brought a great energy and work to rehearsals, making them go smoothly" said Rennes Carbaugh, who plays Ernst.

"The most enjoyable part of the rehearsal process was working with such a professional and talented cast and crew. Our director, Shawn Martin, has been great. He really lets us do our own thing on stage, but it all fits within his vision" said Marquis Allgood, who plays a Kit Kat Klub waiter.

"This cast has been phenomenal to work with, both on stage and behind the scenes. Everyone has given 110% to the show. The other enjoyable thing has been the fantastic production staff - sets, lights, sound, choreography - everyone is phenomenal at their jobs and work together beautifully" said Laura J. Martin, who plays Fraulein Kost.

"The most enjoyable part of the rehearsal process to me has been directing a dynamic cast of professionals" said director Shawn R. Martin

In a departure from traditional, light-hearted musical standards for a dinner theater, Cabaret is a much darker story, about the moral and social consequences of a political takeover.

"Cabaret is a well known property that has received numerous revivals. The challenge comes in keeping the show fresh. The show has aged well and the book and score are so strong. It was necessary that we find 'our own' Cabaret, and not simply re-create prior incarnations of the show" said Shawn Martin

Part of the musical's famous reputation comes from the unique "show-within-a-show" concept. The main action of the plot is summarized by the Master of Ceremonies, or Emcee, played by Scott Ruble, and the Kit Kat Klub girls and waiters, who perform production numbers commenting upon the main action.

"Scott Ruble is fantastic. He takes what the script gives him and just runs with it. Every time he is on stage, there is just this energy, this aura, that radiates off of him and gives every one else dynamic energy to go out there and give it their all. He brings a comedic aspect to a very dark time" said Allgood

"The show has a few really powerful messages and one [message] that is extremely relevant about politics. It [politics] does deal with everyone and if you aren't against it or if you don't take a stand against evil, you might as well be for it." said Carbaugh

"The rise of the Third Reich is a precarious subject matter. It's important to treat it with respect" said Laura J. Martin

The cast is working diligently to bring a darker story to life onstage, while still making it an enjoyable and humorous musical for the audience.

"Cabaret is a beautiful show, and this cast is absolutely phenomenal!" said Laura J. Martin

"This is an exciting and fresh production, filled with a dynamic group of performers" said Shawn Martin

The Cabaret cast also features Ryan Perry as Clifford Bradshaw, Zoe D'heedene as Sally Bowles, Jackie Rebok as Fraulein Schneider, David Porterfield as Herr Schultz, Kaitlyn Lamkin, Shannen Banzhoff, Marley Mueller-Brown, Gaby Tokach, Arielle Pizana and Katie Tolentino as Kit-Kat Klub Girls and Dan Ritchey,Tim Diehl and Maverick McKee as Kit Kat Klub Waiters.

Cabaret runs September 26, October 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24 and November 6, 7, 13 and 14 with one Sunday matinee on October 4. Dinner hour will begin at 6:00 with the show shortly following at approximately 7:45 for evening performances and lunch hour for the matinee performance begins at 1:00 with the show following at approximately 2:30. For more information about the production or to make reservations, please call the box office at (301) 739-7469 or visit www.wcpdt.com.

Photo Credit: Washington County Playhouse

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