CABARET Comes To NKU

Northern Kentucky University's School of the Arts continues its 2018-2019 Theatre + Dance Season with Kander and Ebb's Tony award-winning masterpiece CABARET, running Feb. 14-24 at NKU's Corbett Theatre.

CABARET turns pre-war Berlin of 1931 into a sensual haven of decadent celebration. At the seedy Kit Kat Klub, a young American writer, Cliff Bradshaw, wanders into the club overseen by a garish and flamboyant Master of Ceremonies. He meets Sally Bowles, a talented cabaret performer who holds her admirers at a distance, unwilling to develop genuinely deep emotions. Living in a morally ambiguous void of desperate anxiety, they are determined to keep up appearances as the real world prepares for war. CABARET is a finely-tuned combination of drama and entertainment, resulting in one of the most substantial musicals ever made.

"We're doing it as a memory piece," said director Brian Robertson. "The 1998 production made the strong choice to say at the end that the Kit Kat Klub workers were put in camps and mostly likely died in WWII. We've decided to start as though the club, its energy, and its time of possibility before the Nazi's took over, is reawakened and flashes alive before dying again."

The production also has the main characters as part of vaudeville sketches being performed in the club, which was a previously abandoned warehouse/factory. They are characters assumed by Kit Kat Klub dancers as a form of commentary about today's changing cultural attitudes. Another dynamic twist in the production includes the portrayal of the Emcee with a female actress (Faustina Gorham).

The NKU cast features Alex Bellocq (Herman/Co-Dance Captain), Meg Carlson (Texas), Arianna Catalano (Helga), Haley Gillman (Kost), Faustina Gorham (Emcee), Sarah Hack (Schneider), Jake Hunter (Victor), JeShaun Jackson (Bobby), Sam Johnson (Ernst), Sidney Kline (Rosie), Blair Lamb (Lulu), Ashley Martin (Fritzie/Co-Dance Captain), Eleanor Morris (Frenchie), Matthew Nassida (Schultz), Makenzie Ruff (Sally Bowles), Alexander Slade (Max), Aaron Marshall (Hans), and Mattison Sullivan (Cliff). The show is directed by Brian Robertson. Other creative team members include Ronnie Chamberlain (Costume Design), Terry Powell (Lighting Design), Zachary Collins (Sound Design), Rob Kerby (Technical Director), Jamey Strawn (Music Director), and Natalie Bellamy & DJ Bruegge (Co-Choreographers). Lindsey Pervis (Scenic Design) is a CCM-Graduate program designer and supported by an award from the Tom and Christine Neyer Family Visiting Artist. The Stage Manager is Emily Vicars and Assistant Stage Managers are Emily Coffey, Megan Beal, and Kelsey Austin.

For more information, call the NKU School of the Arts Box Office at (859) 572-5464 or visit nku.edu/sotatickets.