CABARET Set for Theatre Artists Studio, Now thru Dec 15

"Cabaret" is typically used to describe a restaurant or nightclub that provides short programs of live entertainment, or the floor shows presented in such establishments. But when it comes to musicals, Cabaret conjures up images of scantily clad women, leering men and even ordinary citizens, all feeling their lives and their world closing in around them.

Set in Berlin in 1931, Cabaret focuses on the nightlife at the seedy Kit Kat Klub and revolves around the relationship of a young English Cabaret singer, Sally Bowles, and a young American writer, Cliff Bradshaw, and the poignant romance of the elderly Herr Schultz and Fraulein Schneider. Overseeing the action is the Master Of Ceremonies at the club, who acts as a metaphor for the threatening rise of the Nazi regime in Germany.

Based on the 1951 play I Am A Camera by John Van Druten, which was itself an adaptation of the short novel Goodbye to Berlin by Christopher Isherwood, Cabaret has been winning critical acclaim on stage and on the big screen for over 40 years. The 1966 original Broadway production took home eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Original Score for John Kander and Fred Ebb, Best Direction for Hal Prince, and Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical for Joel Grey, who reprised his role as the sinister Master of Ceremonies for the 1972 film. Directed by Bob Fosse and starring Liza Minnelli and Michael York, the great performances and evocative musical numbers in the "big screen" version helped Cabaret secure its status as a socially conscious classic. Revivals over the past four decades have garnered additional nods and wins from the Tonys, as well as Drama Desk and Laurence Olivier Awards. Still immensely popular, a new revival of Cabaret is scheduled to open on Broadway in April of 2014, produced by the Roundabout Theatre Company.

Theatre Artists Studio will be presenting a modified "concert" version of the musical masterpiece. While not a true concert version since it involves more than people standing at microphones just singing the songs, The Studio's production will have a minimal set, no props, and light choreography, with scene selections that support the interaction between the characters and establish the songs. As a bonus for audiences, songs from the movie version have been added to the stage score, making for an abundance of musical numbers and an interesting hybrid of a concert version and fully staged musical.

"We wanted to focus on telling the stories of each character and their relationships to each other, and their relationship to the situation in Berlin," says Shana Rebilas Bousard, the show's director. "The challenge for me as a director was to still get the essential points of the story across without so much focus on its darker aspects."

This format presents a challenge for the performers as well. They must rely on the message in the songs and script to truthfully establish their characters and tell the story of Cabaret, and they must trust their talent and the imagination of the audience to bring that story to life.

Rising up to the task are Shana Rebilas Bousard, Brad Bond, Cynthia Elek, Tony Hodges, Matt MacDougall, Tina Khalil, Diana Thompson and Dorothy Gaynor. Musical direction is provided by Joe Bousard, and accompaniment includes Scott Hay on drums, Joe Bousard on piano and Diana Thompson on woodwinds, with choreography by Tina Khalil.

"We hope to give audiences a renewed appreciation for the work and an empathy for and connection with the characters," said Bousard. "The people in this story and the choices they make for survival are ever present in the human condition and still relevant today."

Theatre Artists Studio presents Cabaret (Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb, Book by Christopher Isherwood) from today, November 29 through December 15 at The Studio, 4848 E. Cactus Rd, #406, in Scottsdale. Show times are Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets are $20 for General Admission, $10 for Students 25 & Under and $15 for Groups of 10 or More, Seniors 65 and Over and Members of the Military. For tickets, call the box office at 602-765-0120 or visit: www.thestudiophx.org

This production is being presented under the auspices of the Actor's Equity Association Members Project Code.

About Theatre Artist's Studio: The Studio is a member organization of actors, playwrights, directors, producers and designers founded to provide a place for theatre artists to work at their craft in an atmosphere which fosters mutual growth and collaboration through Studio affiliation. The Studio provides interaction between its members and the community by providing an opportunity to produce innovative projects, mentor emerging talent and establish an educational resource to celebrate the power and imagination of theatre.

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