Tag Archives: Cabaret

Summer theater going strong as Circle presents live music, ‘Cabaret’

Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , ,
The Second Annual Summer Fundraiser for Circle Theatre is Tuesday, July 12. (Supplied)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Circle Theatre continues its summer programming with two upcoming July performances, including its first indoor production since the COVID pandemic.

On Tuesday, July 12, the company will host its Second Annual Circle Summer Fundraising Concert at 7 p.m. on the lawn at the Aquinas College’s Performing Arts Center, 1703 Robinson Rd. SE.

Lisa Knight will be joined by Michelle Covington and Deb Alexander as they pay tribute to the ladies of soul. From Tina Turner and Chaka Khan to Donna Summer, Whitney Houston and more.

According to Circle Theatre officials, the organization is elated to be back for its 2021 season after having been dark the past year. The extended intermission has left Circle Theater with the goal of raising $150,000 to continue covering ongoing costs as the company works to bring live theatre back to West Michigan. So far, the organization has raised about $50,000 of its goal.

 

Circle Theatre presents “Cabaret” July 15 – 31. (Supplied)

Tickets for the Circle Summer Fundraising Concert are $25 each. Participants are encouraged to bring picnic blankets and beach chairs. KJ Catering will be offering picnic options.

‘Life is Cabaret, Old Chum’

Circle Theatre continues its 69th season with its first indoor production, the 12-time Tony Award wining production, “Cabaret,” July 15 – 31, at Aquinas College Center of Performing Arts, 1703 Robinson Rd. SE.

“The amazing talent involved in this production will have you engaged and entertained as this classic musical is presented through a new lens,” said Director Will Gearring.

Gearring has intentionally cast to re-envision the popular production and to tell the story of “Cabaret” and the history of 1930s Germany through minority voices – voices of those whose stories have yet to be told. Through his research, Gearring weaves the history of minority voices during the Nazi takeover of Germany in the 1930s and 1940s through the show. Audiences can expect an emersive and eye-opening experience at each performance.

Jaelyn Raiford is Sally Bowles. (Supplied)

“Cabaret” is the story of American writer Cliff Bradshaw and his relationship with cabaret performer Sally Bowles set against 1931 Berlin as the Nazis are rising to power. Set in the seedy Kit Kat Klub, the action is overseen by the Master of Ceremonies who welcomes the audiences and assures them they will forget all their troubles at the Cabaret.

 

“Our cast bring some small elements the really retell the story in a new way,” said Jaelyn Raiford who portrays Sally Bowles. “In addition, I have gotten to watch each and every performer come with high energy and make this show a stunning and exciting piece of work. 

“Every person who joins us in telling this story will see a dramatic love story speckled with comedic characters, eye-catching dance numbers, and social commentary.”

Shows are at 7:30 p.m. with a 3 p.m. Sunday, July 25. Tickets for both shows are available at circletheatre.org or call 616-456-6656.

GVSU students tackle importance of political awareness during performances of ‘Cabaret’

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The GVSU cast of “Cabaret.” Photo by Valerie Wojo

By Matthew Makowski

Grand Valley State University

 

In Berlin, Germany, in 1930, three years before Adolf Hitler came to power, Cliff, an American novelist, is searching for inspiration when he finds lodging at Frau Schneider’s boarding house above the notorious and racy Kit Kat Club. Led by a saucy Emcee and Sally Bowles, a sassy showgirl and British singer, the free-wheeling performers at the club turn Cliff’s world upside down while the power of the Nazi party lurks just beyond the club’s doors.

 

This is the plot of “Cabaret,” which Grand Valley students will perform Nov. 16-18, 29 and 30, and Dec. 1-2 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 19 and Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. All performances will take place in the Linn Maxwell Keller Black Box Theatre, located in the Thomas J. and Marcia J. Haas Center for Performing Arts.

 

“These characters are focused on having a good time and living in an environment that is free and liberated, but what they fail to realize, or refuse to realize, is that a change in German politics is allowing the Nazi party to come to power,” said Dennis Henry, director and visiting professor of theater. “’Cabaret’ is a warning about the need for everyone to know what is going on in politics in order to prevent the rise of evil.”

 

Lindsey Normington, a senior majoring in communication studies who plays Sally Bowles, said that portraying her character’s denial has been her biggest hurdle during rehearsals.

 

“I’m the type of person who is generally very concerned when I feel like I see someone being treated unfairly,” she said. “Sally gives off a happy-go-lucky vibe, but she is more interested deep down in protecting herself over others.”

 

“Cabaret” marks the first theater performance to take place in the new Keller Theatre, and Henry said the production will take full advantage of the black box theater’s ability to provide flexible staging and audience seating formations.

 

“For this first production, we are arranging the seats in an ‘arena’ configuration, with the audience on all four sides of the playing space,” he said. “Since much of the play takes place in the Kit Kat Club, this arrangement will give the audience the feeling of being in the club with the performers, and there will even be some limited table seating on the edges of the stage itself.”

 

While the themes of “Cabaret” are serious in nature, Henry said the play itself is light-hearted.

 

“The songs are classics that will stick in your head and the characters of Sally and the emcee are some of the most popular and memorable characters of the American theater cannon,” he explained.

 

Ticket prices are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and Grand Valley alumni, faculty and staff, and $6 for students and groups. To purchase tickets, contact the Louis Armstrong Theatre Box Office at 616-331-2300 or visit startickets.com.

Theatre at Grand Valley presents ‘Cabaret’ in Nov. and Dec.

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , , ,

Photo courtesy Grand Valley State University

By Matthew Makowski, Grand Valley State University

 

Cabaret takes place in Berlin, Germany, in 1930. American novelist, Cliff, is searching for inspiration when he finds lodging at Frau Schneider’s residence above the notorious Kit Kat Club. Led by a saucy emcee and Sally Bowles, a sassy showgirl, the free-wheeling performers at the club turn Cliff’s world upside down. Can Cliff and Sally find happiness as anti-Semitism and homophobia are on the rise?

 

When: November 16, 17, 18, 29, 30, and December 1, 2, at 7:30 pm; November 19 and December 3, at 2 pm.

 

Where: Linn Maxwell Keller Black Box Theatre, Thomas J. and Marcia J. Haas Center for Performing Arts, Allendale Campus

 

Tickets: $12 adults, $10 seniors and GVSU alumni, faculty and staff, $6 students and groups