KU Theatre presents 'Cabaret' in new Stage Too! setting in November

LAWRENCE -- The award-winning musical "Cabaret" will be staged at the University of Kansas for 12 performances in November. The production, presented by the KU Department of Theatre and Film and the University Theatre, will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14, 19, 20 and 21; 5 and 9 p.m. Nov. 15 and 22; and 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16 and 23.

All performances will be in the new Stage Too! Theatre, built on the stage of the Crafton-Preyer Theatre in Murphy Hall.

With a book by Joe Masteroff, music by John Kander, and lyrics by Fred Ebb, "Cabaret" is based on a play by John VanDruten from a book by Christopher Isherwood. The Broadway production, produced and directed by Harold Prince, opened in November 1966 and played for more than three years.

John Staniunas, associate professor of theatre and film and artistic director of the University Theatre, directs and choreographs the KU production. Musical director is Michael D. Johnson, Marion, Iowa, doctoral student. Beth Collins, Sanderstead, England, graduate student, designed the scenery, costume and makeup. Lighting designer is Brent Lind, Overland Park senior. Jan DeLovage, a Kansas City professional hair and makeup designer, designed the wigs for the production.

Staniunas promises the KU rendition of the musical will be an experience audiences have never had before in the Crafton-Preyer Theatre.

"With the opening of Stage Too!, the audience will have an integral part in the whole theatrical experience," he said. "Our audiences will enter the cabaret world of Berlin in the 1930s and will interact with the inhabitants of this world.

"Entering this world would not have been possible without the generous help of everyone who supported the dream of Stage Too! From the $6.32 campaign, to tap dance lessons, garage sales, support from the Student Senate and private donations, our dream is becoming a reality," he continued. "With Stage Too! we are able to present more intimate performances in a setting that is flexible, yet large enough to accommodate about 300 patrons."

A recent campaign asked people to donate $6.32 each to help raise money for Stage Too!

This is the second production of "Cabaret" Staniunas has directed and he wanted the production to be much more intimate than the first.

"I am able to do more interesting staging with a reduced cast and, in the end, say more to the audience," he said.

In 1929, Berlin's 170 male brothels were just a part of the divinely decadent nightlife of Germany's capital city. Fascinated by the sexually liberal atmosphere and disturbed by the insidious presence of the Nazi party, Isherwood wrote a series of thinly veiled autobiographical sketches describing his experiences in Weimar Berlin.

Set in the Kit Kat Klub, "Cabaret" tells of Cliff, a young American writer who comes to Berlin and hooks up with Sally, a somewhat soiled English girl who draws him into the seedy atmosphere driven by the feelings of impending doom in Germany.

With the new Stage Too! built upon the Crafton-Preyer Theatre Stage, Staniunas is staging "Cabaret" as a play within a play.

It's all inside the cabaret, he said. The music and choreography are reminiscent of popular German and American music of that time featuring such dances as the fox trot, waltz and tap. In addition to the opening number, "Willkommen" and the title song, "Cabaret," Staniunas said, other familiar tunes are "Mein Herr," "Maybe This Time" and "Money."

"Cabaret" deals with adult subject matter and includes strong language and partial nudity, Staniunas said.

Staniunas is conducting a free musical theatre workshop for area high school teachers and students on Saturday, Nov. 15. The two-part workshop will include sessions on "Conceptualizing Musical Theatre Through Directing Techniques" and "Singing for Musical Theatre." Participants will attend the 5 p.m. performance of "Cabaret."

Staniunas said donors to the $6.32 campaign will be honored at a reception at 5:45 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, followed by a 7:30 p.m. performance.

General admission tickets are on sale in the KU ticket offices: University Theatre, (785) 864-3982; Lied Center, (785) 864-ARTS; SUA, (785) 864-7469; and online at kutheatre.com. Tickets are $18 for the public, $10 for all students, $17 for senior citizens, and $16 for KU faculty and staff.

Members of the ensemble for the KU musical include (listed by name, year in school and major, parents' names and role):

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence
Tommy Cottin, eighth-grader at Central Junior High School, son of Thomas J. and Linda Cottin; German Youth.
Julia Elise Hardin, senior, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hardin; Helga and Lady 1.
Dylan Hilpman, sophomore, son of Dwight and Peggy Hilpman; Texas, Bobby, Lady 2 and Sailor.
Christopher Wheatley, senior, son of Ken Wheatley and Kathy Pryor and Jim Peterson; Clifford Bradshaw.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Leawood
Averyn Mackey, senior, daughter of John and Becky Mackey; Rosie and Fraulein Kost.

From Overland Park
Brian "Jimmy" Brewer, sophomore, son of Tom and Debra Brewer and Elizabeth Kent, Ernst Ludwig.
Michelle Nikoomanesh, senior, daughter of Kamyar and Barbara Nikoomanesh, Lulu and Gorilla.
Matthew G. Simon, senior, son of Mark and Mary Ellen Simon, Emcee.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita
Andrew York, junior, son of Ben and Deborah York; Fritzie, Max, Sailor and Victor.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka
Allison Gabbard, senior, daughter of Dr. Glen Gabbard and Rebecca O'Malley; Sally Bowles.

COLORADO
From Loveland
Julie Maykowski, doctoral student, daughter of Leonard and Vicki Maykowski; Fraulein Schneider.

MAINE
From Falmouth
Carter Waite, freshman, son of David and DeDe Waite; Herr Schultz.

OKLAHOMA
From Norman
Kate Hurley, junior, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Phil Hurley; Frenchie, Telephone Girl and Ballerina.