Photo Flash: CABARET Celebrates Opening Night at Theatre at the Center

Cabaret, one of the great Broadway musicals of all time, opened to a packed house at Theatre at the Center (TATC) in Munster on opening night on May 7. The show continues through June 4. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening festivities below!

Winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score, this theatrical masterpiece welcomes theatergoers to the Kit Kat Klub in 1930s Berlin, where a mischievous Emcee invites everyone to join cabaret singer Sally Bowles and Cliff Bradshaw, an American writer searching for inspiration, in a world on the brink. This timeless classic features iconic songs such as "Maybe This Time," "The Money Song," "Willkommen" and "Cabaret."

The cast includes Danni Smith, who recently wrapped up the run of Mamma Mia at Marriott Theatre. Other Chicago credits include A Christmas Story: The Musical at Paramount Theatre and Chess at Porchlight. Danni has received four Jefferson Awards and is co-founder of Firebrand Theatre, a musical theatre company committed to empowering women. Patrick Tierney is cast in the role of Cliff. He was recently seen at TATC as Prince Herbert in Spamalot. His other credits include Young Frankenstein at Metropolis and Les Mis at Paramount Theatre. Sean Fortunato returns to TATC in the role of the Emcee and recently appeared as Lancelot in Spamalot. His other roles include Book of Joseph at Chicago Shakespeare and 2666 at Goodman Theatre. Sean has received five Jefferson nominations and an After Dark Award.

Additional cast members include Craig Spidle in the role of Herr Schultz. Craig's Chicago credits include The Tempest at Steppenwolf and Sweet Bird of Youth at the Goodman Theatre. He has also appeared Off-Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theatre and in numerous teleVision Productions including Chicago P.D. His film work includes Road to Perdition and The Color of Money. Iris Lieberman returns to TATC as Fraulein Schneider. Iris was recently seen at TATC in Annie Warbucks and returns directly from appearing as Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast at Fireside Theatre in Wisconsin. Christopher Davis appears as Ernst and Casiena Raether portrays Fraulein Kost. The role of Max is played by Gary Smiley. The cast also includes Mallory Maedke as Rosie, Julie Baird as Lulu, Courtney Mack as Frenchie, Ann Delaney as Helga, Adam Fane as Bobby/Sailor, Tony Carter as Victor/Officer, Collin Sanderson as Hans/Sailor and Jhardon DiShon Milton as Herman/Sailor.

Bill Underwood is Music Director. Erin Quist is Stage Manager and Katrina Herrmann is Assistant Stage Manager. Ann Davis is Technical Director and Dennis Galbreath is Assistant Technical Director. Jack Magaw is Scenic Designer and Guy Rhodes is Lighting Designer. Brenda Winstead is the Costume Designer with Wig Design by Kevin Barthel.

Linda Fortunato is Artistic Director of Theatre at the Center and Director and Choreographer of Cabaret. Linda has been nominated for five Jeff Awards for her work as a choreographer and director. She received both the Equity and Non-Equity Jeff Awards for Outstanding Choreography in the 2013-2014 season, garnering TATC's first award for her choreography of 42nd Street. Linda has been involved with over a dozen shows at TATC, directing Annie Warbucks and A Christmas Story, and choreographing Spamalot, Big Fish, A Christmas Carol, Guys and Dolls, Crazy for You and Fiddler on the Roof.

The 1966 Broadway production of Cabaret (Book by Joe Masteroff, Music by John Kander and Lyrics by Fred Ebb) is based on John Von Druten's 1951 play I Am a Camera, which was adapted from Christopher Isherwood's short novel Goodbye to Berlin (1939). The Broadway production became a hit film in 1972. Set in 1930 Berlin as the Nazis are rising to power, it is based on nightlife at the Kit Kat Club and revolves around an American writer, Cliff Bradshaw, and his relationship with cabaret performer Sally Bowles.

Individual ticket prices range from $40 - $44. To purchase individual tickets, call the Box Office at 219-836-3255 or Tickets.com at 800-511-1552. For more information on Theatre at the Center, visit www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com.

Actors (left to right) Danni Smith, Sean Fortunato and Patrick Tierney with Director Linda Fortunato (right) from CABARET at TATC.
Actor Iris Lieberman with TATC General Manager Richard Friedman at the opening night of CABARET at TATC.
Actor Craig Spidle at the opening night of CABARET at TATC.
Actor Casiena Raether at the opening night of CABARET at TATC.
Actor Christopher Davis at the opening night of CABARET at TATC.
Actors (left to right) Courtney Mack, Mallory Maedke and Julie Baird at the opening night of CABARET at TATC.
Actors (left to right) Collin Sanderson, Jhardon DiShon Milton (front), Tony Carter and Adam Fane at the opening night of CABARET at TATC.
TATC Orchestra Leader William Underwood (left with glasses) and musicians at the opening night of CABARET at TATC.
Actor Sean Fortunato with wife and Director Linda Fortunato at the opening night of CABARET at TATC.
Actor Danni Smith at the opening night of CABARET at TATC.
Actor Patrick Tierney at the opening night of CABARET at TATC.
Actor Craig Spidle with Director Linda Fortunato at the opening night of CABARET at TATC.
Editor Kathy MacNeil and husband James MacNeil at the opening night of CABARET at TATC.
Philip Potempa with parents Chester and Peggy Potempa at the opening night of CABARET at TATC.

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