Kelley Abbey to choreograph new ‘Cabaret’

Hayes Theatre Co presents Cabaret revivalThe Kit Kat Club is returning to Sydney in all its decadence for a new Australian revival of Cabaret at Hayes Theatre Co. from January 9, 2017. Featuring choreography by none other than Kelley Abbey, Cabaret will then play the Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne from April 27, 2017.

 

Winner of 12 Tony Awards, 8 Academy Awards and 7 BAFTA Awards, Cabaret wows audiences and critics alike time and time again, sky-rocketing the careers it starts. In 1966 (50 years ago!), the original Broadway production made a household name of Joel Grey who shook audiences as The Emcee. Two years later an unassuming Judi Dench stole the show as Sally Bowles on London’s West End. Arguably the most iconic movie musical of all time made a star of Liza Minnelli when she brought Sally Bowles to the silver screen, as directed by the legendary Bob Fosse.

 

Now Sydney will showcase some of Australia’s best musical talent, including the dazzling Paul Capsis, the incomparable Kate Fitzpatrick and the much loved Debora Krizak at Sydney’s premier venue for groundbreaking musicals, The Hayes Theatre Co. Casting for the other major roles (including that of Sally Bowles) will be announced soon.

 

Cabaret in its musical form is based on The Berlin Stories by famous author Christopher Isherwood, who exchanged his upper-middle-class conservative upbringing for the sexual freedom and social liberation of Berlin during the bustling 1930s. Cabaret the musical, adapted by song and lyrics team Kander and Ebb, became a semi-biographical portrait of Isherwood’s life, celebrating life on the edge.

 

Beneath the fun and games of Cabaret lies an ominous melody, providing a glimpse of vibrant Berlin’s dark undercurrents during the rise of Hitler. Cabaret walks the tightrope of pure entertainment and serious political consciousness and for this very reason the musical continues to allure audiences. 

 

At a time when much of society is again vulnerable to destructive powers, Producer David M. Hawkins is proud to bring an innovative and exciting new production to Australia.

 

“My aim is to create a new production of Cabaret that engages audiences unlike any previous production, and to do that I believe we need to return to the original source material. The universal issue of the human condition at the core of Cabaret comes from Christopher Isherwood and his perception of what it was like to live in Berlin during the rise of Hitler,” Hawkins said.

 

“The Weimer period offers many exciting theatrical techniques like Brecht’s that are present in the script that should be explored. I want Isherwood’s Berlin to be the heart of this production to open endless new layers.”

 

Paul Capsis makes his return to musical theatre in the iconic role of The Emcee. Well known to Australian audiences as one of our most versatile and successful performers, Capsis has won many accolades, including Helpmann Awards for Angela’s Kitchen, The Lost Echo, Boulevard Delirium and Capsis vs Capsis.

 

Capsis said, “Cabaret is the holy grail of musicals for me. I’ve always been a big fan of the work of Isherwood. It’s a dream for me to play the ultimate Master Of Ceremonies.”

 

Hawkins has brought some of the biggest Broadway stars to Australia, including Liza Minnelli, Chita Rivera and Ben Vereen. Cabaret has been his pride project since 2014 and he is delighted to bring his vision to life at Sydney’s Hayes Theatre before touring the production around Australia.

 

For more information, visit www.cometothecabaret.com.au.