Barter Theatre Joins Symphony Of The Mountains for CABARET Performances in Kingsport

Billed as "a special event like no other that the region has hosted or produced," the professional actors of Barter Theatre will be backed by a full symphony orchestra when the theatre joins forces with Symphony of the Mountains for two unprecedented performances of Cabaret.

It's a special one-time event and the very first time the region's two performing powerhouses will collaborate. The event will be held on November 11 and 12 at the Toy F. Reid Center in Kingsport, Tennessee, and tickets are available by calling Barter Theatre's box office at (276) 628-3991 or by visiting www.BarterTheatre.com.

Cabaret is now playing at Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, through November 10. After that the show will go on the road to Kingsport, where the Symphony of the Mountains will join Barter Theatre's cast at the 1500 seat Toy F. Reid Center.

"Richard Rose, the producing artistic director of Barter Theatre, and I have been talking about something like this for many years. Then about a year ago, he and I got together again and now we are able to present this first-time collaboration to the people of our whole region. It is very exciting!" said Cornelia Laemmli-Orth, conductor and music director for the Symphony of the Mountains. 

"Even though I knew the piece very well, and thought I was prepared for what I would see, I was totally overwhelmed when I saw Barter Theatre's production for the first time: chills, laughs and tears," said Laemmli-Orth. "Imagine how powerful it will be when the full sound of the Symphony of the Mountains surrounds their production on the stage of the Toy F. Reid Center!"

"Steamy, sexy and powerful do not even begin to describe Kander and Ebb's iconic musical," said Rose, who also directed the production. "The show is not only one of the most entertaining musicals, but it also has some of the best music ever written for musical theatre." 

"Barter's approach to songs like 'Willkommen,' 'Don't Tell Mama,' 'Mein Herr' and, of course, 'Cabaret' is not just presentational. We bring the audience into the song and dance. Now we can present the show with a full symphony orchestra for the very first time," said Rose. 
 
Cabaret was propelled to the center of pop culture after the movie starring Liza Minnelli. Rose promises: "If you've seen the movie or other productions of Cabaret, you still haven't seen it like this. Barter Theatre always does it differently, and this collaboration is especially different." 

The more than 70 professional musicians of the Symphony of the Mountains, conducted by Laemmli-Orth, will be onstage with Barter actors.

"Both Barter Theatre and the Symphony of the Mountains have a strong and impressive heritage. Barter is now in its 78th season and the Symphony of the Mountains began in 1946, 65 years ago. Both are professional organizations with national recognition and this kind of partnership is unprecedented, and we are particularly excited to be able to bring this production to the region," said Rose. 

The story focuses on the nightlife at The Kit Kat Klub and revolves around the English cabaret performer, Sally Bowles (Hannah Ingram, The 39 Steps, Evita) and her relationships with a young American author, Cliff (Nathan Whitmer, Gaston in Disney's Beauty and the Beast and Hannay in The 39 Steps). Sally loves working at the Cabaret and Cliff has just arrived in Germany to write a book.  

Also, Fraulein Schneider (Tricia Matthews - Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast) runs the boarding house where Cliff has just arrived and many of the Cabaret performers live. Her neighbor, Herr Schultz (Michael Poisson, Captain Hook in Peter Pan) flirts with her by bringing her fruit. Will this woman and this Jewish man choose love in 1930s Germany? 
 
"The M.C., or Max, is unlike the other characters," said actor Sean Maximo Campos. "As the boss of the Kit Kat Klub, my character interacts with the audience just as if they were in a burlesque nightclub in 1930s Berlin. The audience becomes part of the show in that regard."

Tickets for the Barter Theatre/Symphony of the Mountains production of Cabaret at the Toy F. Reid Center in Kingsport Tennessee are available by calling Barter Theatre's Box Office. Call  (276) 628-3991 or visit BarterTheatre.com for tickets and more information.

Photo: Christine Mueller, Sarah Bumgarner, Hannah Ingram, Sean Campos, Ashley Campos, Abbey C. Elliott

 

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