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Life is a Cabaret

Ely Spring Musical opens March 28

Keith Vandervort
Posted 3/20/19

ELY - “Life is a cabaret, old chum, and I love a cabaret!” With these immortal words, Sally Bowles sings the signature song of the famous musical Cabaret, made a household name by the 1972 movie …

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Life is a Cabaret

Ely Spring Musical opens March 28

Posted

ELY - “Life is a cabaret, old chum, and I love a cabaret!” With these immortal words, Sally Bowles sings the signature song of the famous musical Cabaret, made a household name by the 1972 movie starting Liza Minelli.

But before that movie version, there was a 1966 stage version, a non-musical play “I Am a Camera” and a novel called “Goodbye to Berlin” by Christopher Isherwood, based on his own experiences in Berlin just prior to World War II. That’s according to play director Sara Skelton.

The Ely Community Spring Musical will perform the 1966 stage version, set in 1931 Berlin as the Nazis are rising to power. “The story focuses on the nightlife at the seedy Kit Kat Klub, and revolves around American writer Cliff Bradshaw (played by Todd Crego)and his relationship with English cabaret performer Sally Bowles (played by Nicole Sophia),” Skelton said.

A sub-plot involves the doomed romance between German boarding house owner Frau Schneider (Maria Paschke) and her suitor Herr Schultz (Zeke Smith), a Jewish fruit vendor. Overseeing the action is the Master of Ceremonies (Tom Bennet) at the Kit Kat Klub.

Bradshaw meets Ernst Ludwig (VCC student Lucas Nygren) who sets him up at the boarding house run by Frau Schneider, where he meets Herr Schultz. A romance blossoms between Cliff and Sally, with a counterpoint of the courtship between Schneider and Schultz, which becomes increasingly difficult as the Nazi’s influence infiltrates the city.

“Although much different from the movie, the 1966 musical version does contain some adult themes and parental guidance is suggested,” she said.

The cast and crew are putting the final touches on this year’s Ely Community Spring Musical, with dress rehearsals all week. Cabaret revolves around the characters at a Berlin nightclub.

An array of college students and community members fill out the cast as Kit Kat Klub dancers, waiters, patrons and various Berliners from many walks of life.

“As always, the 2019 Ely Community Spring Musical is a collaboration between Vermilion Community College and Northern Lakes Arts Association,” Skelton said.

The production features eight shows in the Vermilion College Fine Arts Theater. Cabaret runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 28-30 at 7 p.m., a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on March 31, continuing on Tuesday, April 2, and Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 4-6 at 7 p.m.

Advance tickets are available at BrownPaperTickets.com (credit cards) and Kess Gallery (cash or check) or at the door. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for NLAA members and $8 for students.

For more information, please check the Northern Lakes Arts Association website at northernlakesarts.org.