Newnan Community Theatre Co Close Production of CABARET 5/23

On May 23rd, Newnan Community Theatre Company will end its run of the multiple Tony and Academy Award winning musical "Cabaret." "Cabaret" is a musical with a book by Joe Masteroff, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and music by John Kander. The 1966 Broadway hit production and spawned the 1972 film, as well as two subsequent Broadway productions in 1987 and 1998.

"Cabaret" tells the story of young American writer Cliff Bradshaw (portrayed by Chaz Ferguson) and his coming to Berlin at the dawn of the 1930s, just as Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party begin to rise to power. Cliff is soon swept into the world of the Kit Kat Klub, where he meets the enchanting Sally Bowles (Imani Johnson), who in turn quickly immerses herself into Cliff's world. While staying in Berlin, Cliff also interacts with his stoic landlady Fraulein Schneider and Herr Shultz (Kc Pollak and Peter Poulos), a kindly older man who owns a local fruit shop. Fraulein Kost (Sarah Jordan), a lady of the evening who also resides in Fraulein Schneider's boarding house, and Ernst Ludwig (Chad Davis), a German business man also play important roles in Cliff's life in Germany. Cliff quickly finds himself in the middle of a love affair with Sally, an international smuggling career, and the beginning of the dastardliest crime against humanity ever.

Helping to comment on the events swirling around Cliff are the menacingly enchanting Emcee (Adam Grubbs) and the Kit Kat Kids, offering observation and commentary; ever present and always watching.

"Cabaret" is based on John Van Druten's 1951 play "I Am A Camera," which in turn was adapted from the novel "Berlin Stories" by Christopher Isherwood. The original Broadway production was nominated for 11 Tony Awards, winning 8, including Best Musical. The 197s movie version was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, winning 8 which included one for Liza Minnelli as Best Actress in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Sally Bowles and original Emcee Joel Grey as Best Actor in a Supporting Role (the same category for which he won the Tony Award 8 years earlier.) The 1998 Broadway revival won the Best Revival of a Musical Tony Award and 3 other Tony Awards.

For the Newnan Community Theatre Company production, Paul Conroy will direct. Mr. Conroy makes his directorial debut in Georgia after mounting productions for the past decade in Massachusetts and New York.

The next auditions at NCTC are for "Psycho Beach Party." The play will be directed by Jeff Allen. Auditions are Sunday, May 9 and Monday, May 10 from 7 to 9 pm. The theatre is also preparing for KidsCamp for children ages 5 to 12. KidsCamp will be held throughout June. For information on all of the theatre's programs, visit newnantheatre.org, or stop by the theatre at 24 1st Avenue in downtown Newnan.