UCO Musical Theatre celebrates 50 years of Broadway classic 'Cabaret' with performances Feb. 18-21

The University of Central Oklahoma Musical Theatre program will present Kander and Ebb’s Cabaret at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18-20 and at 5 p.m. Feb. 21 at the UCO Jazz Lab, 100 E. Fifth St. in Edmond.

Based on John Van Druten’s 1951 play I Am a Camera, the classic Broadway musical first debuted on stages in 1966 and became an immediate hit, inspiring a 1972 film as well as a number of revivals and earning eight Academy Awards and 12 Tony Awards.

Set in 1931 Berlin in the midst of the Nazis’ rise to power, Cabaret focuses on nightlife at the Kit Kat Klub and cabaret performer Sally Bowles, played by UCO musical theatre student Bailey Maxwell, and her relationship with writer Cliff Bradshaw, played by UCO musical theatre student Nate Stukey.

“Celebrating 50 years, Cabaret remains an invitation to remember and realize how, in many ways, some lessons of history and life still need to be learned. Our production of Cabaret is based on the distinguished 1998 Broadway revival,” said Steven Smeltzer, director and professor of several musical theatre classes in Central’s School of Music.

“There will be several of the most memorable songs in theatre history performed, including ‘Cabaret,’ ‘Willkommen’ and ‘Maybe This Time.’ With choreography paying homage to Bob Fosse, this is going to be an exciting, emotionally charged and thought-provoking performance for mature audiences. So, leave your troubles outside — life is beautiful at Cabaret!”

The show will feature 15 of Central musical theatre’s performers, including Joey Harbert as the Emcee.

Tickets are free for UCO students and $22 for all others. For tickets, visit www.ucojazzlab.com/events<http://www.ucojazzlab.com/events> or call the UCO Jazz Lab at 405-359-7989.

For a complete listing of UCO College of Fine Arts and Design events and performances, visit cfad.uco.edu <http://www.uco.edu/cfad>.
 

The Gayly- 2/9/2016 @ 2:17 PM CST