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Theatre's season kick starts with
lively version of "Cabaret"
Book by Joe Masteroff. Music by Jane Cander. Lyrics by Fredd Ebb
Directed by Tim McGhee.
Sponsored by
Conway Chrysler Dodge
August 20 - September 7, 2008
 Kicking off the first show of the 2008-09 season for Theatre of Republic in Conway is "Cabaret," a show of romance, decadence and the unsettling reality of the Nazi era. This Tony Award winning Broadway play is expected to be such a hit, a third week of shows has already been added.
Sponsored by Conway Chrysler Dodge, this is the second time TOR has produced "Cabaret," said Tim McGhee, director. However, this version of the show is based on the Broadway revival with a different flavor than the version presented in Conway in 2001. The show delves into the lives of several German and American characters during the movement of the Third Reich and the rise of Adolph Hitler's Nazi Germany. The play is based on the book by Joe Masteroff with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb.
The story goes that American author Cliff Bradshaw, played by Thomas Switzer of Conway, is on his way to Germany when he meets up with Ernst Ludwig, played by Al Nicholas of Murrells Inlet. The two become friends and Ernst sets Cliff up with a room at Fraulein Schneider's. The Fraulein is played by Janet Mayers who portrayed the same part in the 2001 show at the Conway Main Street Theatre. Nicholas, best known by TOR patrons for his role as Fagin in the recent production of "Oliver," plays a character that is progressively disliked as the show moves forward.
Opening the show with a lively "Willkommen" (Welcome) and guiding the audience along its journey is a sort of dark and creepy character known simply as the Emcee of the Kit Kat Klub. Played by Chris Carr of Little River perhaps best known for his role as the ringmaster in TOR's production of "Barnum", in his first major role, the Emcee shows the audience how the Nazi movement affects everyone's lives. As reality sets in, everyone realizes you have to take a stand and make hard choices.
As Cliff becomes entrenched in the decadent nightlife of Berlin he falls in love with an English cabaret singer Sally Bowles, played by Amanda Moro of Myrtle Beach. Moro's last major role at TOR was in "Funny Girl." "She has phenomenal vocals as demonstrated in 'Cabaret' and "Don't Tell Mama" Sally Bowles is a dream role for her," McGhee said. Bowles cannot see the reality of what is happening in Germany and lives for the day with the belief that "life is a cabaret."
 The show is rife with love and tragedy as Cliff has to leave Bowles behind when she refuses to leave the seedy little cabaret as the danger builds in Berlin. Also, Herr Schultz, played by Jimmy Brown, a German born Jew who has fallen in love with Fraulein Schneider is rejected due to his race and her fear of retaliation by the Nazi's. Brown, of Conway, was last seen in TOR's production of "My Fair Lady," playing the role of Henry Higgins. Brown and Mayers perform a beautiful duet "Married."
Kate Bagwell of Myrtle Beach, in her first speaking role at TOR, plays Fraulein Kost, a border at Fraulein Schneider's home. Kost and a chorus of guests sing the reprise of "Tomorrow Belongs to Me."
 Talented choreographer Sandra Adams' provocative dance steps performed by Kit Kat Klub girls Shelly Aland, Danielle DelPercio, Amber Rainey, Rosa Rea, Sarah Simpson and Leigh Sauvageau keeps the show moving. The nightclub atmosphere, enhanced by Brian Carter's lighting design, combined with very adult costuming by Sandy Flora make the show appropriate for adults only.
The show has everything from a dancing gorilla (Jim Henry Thompson) to a telephone girl (Heidi Sercombe). Music Direction is by Lois Gartrell, stage manager is Paula Zink, set design is by McGhee and Smokey Jakey with Julie Holliday, sound designer, also assisting with set construction, and hair and makeup is by JP Perez.
 There are 15 opportunities to catch this exciting musical. Show dates and times 8 p.m. Aug. 20-23, 27-30 and Sept. 30-6; and 3 p.m. Aug. 24, 31 and Sept. 7. Tickets are on sale now by calling 488-0821. New ticket prices are in affect this season and include $18 in advance, $22 at the door or $16.50 for groups of 15 or more.
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