Riverland Community College Theatre will begin its 2016-2017 season of shows with the classic Broadway musical Cabaret, with book by Joe Masteroff, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb.

As 1929 draws to a close, American writer Clifford Bradshaw arrives in Berlin. At the seedy Kit Kat Klub, he meets British singer Sally Bowles and the two pursue escapist pleasures together. But as life in pre-WWII Germany grows more and more uncertain, will the decadent allure of Berlin nightlife be enough to get them through these dangerous times? This recent revision of the classic Broadway musical is eerily timely today. With adult themes and strong language, Cabaret is suggested for ages 14 and up.

Riverland Theatre Director Lindsey Duoos Williams directs and choreographs. Vocal direction is by Laurie Helmers and the orchestra is conducted by Cheryl Collins. The set and lighting designer is Mark Spitzer. The costumes are by Madlain Vander. The production is stage managed by Gabriel Cardiff.

“This year marks the 50^th anniversary of Cabaret opening on Broadway,” said director/choroegrapher Lindsey Duoos Williams. “The show is so popular that it’s been revived on Broadway three times since, with the last two featuring revisions to incorporate songs from the Academy Award-winning 1972 film starring Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey. We’ll be performing the most recent version of the show, which originally starred Alan Cumming as the Emcee.  It’s a bit darker and grittier than earlier versions, but I think audiences who are already familiar with the show will enjoy the impact this version makes.”

The cast of Cabaret includes Paulina Aguirre Quijano (Veracruz, Mexico) as Texas, Will Arndt (Byron) as the Emcee, Morgan Dickman (Blue Earth) as Helga, Joseph H. Gerber (Austin) as Ernst Ludwig, Laurie Helmers (Stewartville) as Fraulein Schneider, Austin Dean Hodnefield (Austin) as Victor, Jannel Howard (Austin) as Frenchie, Katie Hunerdosse (Austin) as Fraulein Kost, Dathen Johnson (Albert Lea) as Clifford Bradshaw, Garrin Loveland (Austin) as Bobby, Charli Martin (Austin) as Ensemble, Emily McAlister (Austin) as Sally Bowles, Lindsey McAlister (Austin) as Lulu, Jacob Mueller (Austin) as Ensemble, Claire Olson (Austin) as Rosie, Maurene Olson (Alden) as Ensemble, Lizzy Wolterman (Adams) as Fritzie, Vic Wylde (Austin) as Ensemble, Danny Ziebell (Kasson) as Ensemble, and James Zschunke (Austin) as Herr Schultz.

“This felt like the perfect time to perform Cabaret,” said Williams.  “In this election season, we’ve seen our nation’s politics turned into entertainment for the masses.  Cabaret confronts this same idea, but set in the years leading up to World War II during Hitler’s rise to power.  I think the show is still relevant today because it reminds us that we cannot afford to turn a blind eye to what’s happening in the world around us.  We have to educate ourselves and engage with our nation’s politics, because if we don’t there can be disastrous consequences.”

Cabaret will be performed Oct. 5, 6, 7, and 8 at 7:30 p.m, and Oct. 9 at 2. p.m. at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre.

Individual tickets to Cabaret are $16 and currently on sale at www.riverland.edu/tickets 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The online ticketing system allows customers to choose their seats and pay by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. Tickets may also be purchased at the Riverland Box Office, located in room E107 in the East Building of the Austin campus. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and one hour before performances. Riverland students receive two free tickets to each performance with a valid student ID. Contact the box office at 507-433-0595 or by emailing boxoffice@riverland.edu.

Cabaret is suggested for ages 14 and up. Riverland Theatre strives to provide quality productions that are entertaining and challenging to both the audience and the artists.  Because we reach such a diverse audience, some audience members may find some subject matter, language, or situations objectionable. If you have concerns about a specific production, we encourage you to become familiar with the material before attending the performance.

Riverland’s Theatre Department is a high-energy performance-oriented program. Plays produced vary from classical tragedy to modern comedy and from full-scale large cast musicals in intimate small cast plays. Students are encouraged to get involved in all areas of theatre production including, but not limited to, acting, stage managing, set building and painting. Strong academic offerings provide challenges in and out of the classroom.