FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 3, 2009

Contact: K.E. Schwab  

724.738.2199

 karl.schwab@sru.edu

SRU Theater revives popular musical ‘Cabaret’

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The long-popular, long-running Kander and Ebb Broadway musical “Cabaret” will be revived for six performances by Slippery Rock University’s theatre department beginning Feb. 20 in Miller Auditorium.

            Set in 1931Berlin on the eve of the Nazis rise to power, “Cabaret” focuses on the decadent nightlife at the seedy Kit Kat Club. The story revolves around Sally Bowles (Christine Carmichael, an SRU theatre major from Erie), a 19-year-old old British singer and her relationship with American writer Cliff Bradshaw, played by Nicholas Kachanov, a vocal performance major from North Huntingdon.

            The play is about a world where inhibitions run free as a means of escaping dooming intolerance.

            The play’s book is by Joe Masteroff, with lyrics by Fred Ebb and music by John Kander. “Cabaret” opened on Broadway in 1966 directed by Hal Prince, and garnered Tony Awards for  Best Musical and Best Score. It was turned into a feature film in 1972. 

            Andrew G. Allison, a post-baccalaureate student in theatre from Georgetown, will play the emcee; Nyomin Buhler, a music education/voice major from Slippery Rock, will play Fräulein Schneider; Trevor Greenfield, a music education/voice major from Grove City, will play Herr Schultz.

            Others in the cast include Dan Cummins, a mathematics major from Pittsburgh, as Ernst; Rachel Welsh, a dance and elementary/special education major from Beaver Falls, as Fräulein Kost; Nicholas Adam Ciesielski, a theatre and elementary education major from Bridgeville, as Max; Matt Buzanoski, a theatre and criminology major from Butler, as Rudy; Alex Hollock, a theatre major from Butler, as Bobby; Brennen Cooper, a dance and theatre major from Warren, as Victor; Zack Bergfelt, a dance major from Warrendale, as Hans; Kirsti Leighton, a dance major from Chicora, as Rosie; Lola Lewis, a theatre major from Manassas, Va., as Lulu; Samantha Winthrop, a communication major from Cooperstown, as Frenchie; Alex McGee, a theatre major from Shaler Area, as Texas; Laura Montgomery, an elementary/special education major from Pittsburgh, as Fritzie; Emma Christensen, a French major from Red Bank, N.J., as Bente; Stacie O’Hara, a dance major from St. Mary’s, as Ivanna; Krysta White, a dance major from New Castle will serve as dance captain in the role of Helga; Anna Cypher, a music performance major from Evans City, will play the chanteuse; and Adam Harry, an English literature major from Chagrin Falls, Ohio, has the part of the older emcee.

            Laura Smiley, assistant professor of theatre, directs the production, and Thom Cobb, associate professor of dance, is the choreographer. Stephen Hawk, professor of music, will serve as music director and Gordon Phetteplace is the scenic and lighting designer.

            Rebecca Morrice, assistant professor of theatre, is costume designer for the production, with Glenna Smiesko as vocal director, and Michael Boone as technical director. 

            Other technical elements are being staffed by Kelly McBane, an award-winning theatre major from Pittsburgh as makeup designer; Megan Nye, a theatre major from Utica is properties master; Jessica Madden, a dance and elementary education major, as assistant choreographer; Travis Bell, a theatre major from Altoona, as assistant scenic designer; Krista Vogler, a theatre major from Hudson, N.H., as  assistant lighting designer; and Joel Magill, a theatre major from New Castle as stage manager, with Heather Alderich, a theatre major from Frederick, Md., and Nikki Thomas, a theatre and art major from Tyron, as assistant stage managers.

            Curtains are at 8 p.m. Feb. 20-21 and Feb. 23-25, with a 2 p.m. matinee Feb. 22. Tickets are $10 for the general public; $5 for SRU students with ID. Tickets, available one hour before the curtain, may also be purchased from 1-2 p.m. weekdays at the Miller Auditorium Box Office or by calling 724.738.2645. 

Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.