Sopris Theatre Company at Colorado Mountain College is bringing the underbelly of 1929-1930 Berlin nightlife to the stage at Spring Valley in their April production of the acclaimed musical “Cabaret.”
At the Kit Kat Klub, the garish master of ceremonies assures the audience they will forget their troubles as they’re entertained by song and dance while the Third Reich looms outside.
First a short novel – “Goodbye to Berlin” written in 1939 by Christopher Isherwood – the story of a Berlin nightclub during the dawn of the Nazi Party was adapted in 1951 to a play by John Van Druten called “I Am a Camera.” In 1966, the Broadway musical “Cabaret” opened, winning eight Tony Awards including best musical. The film version in 1972 also won eight Academy Awards.
Sopris Theatre Company is performing the musical’s 1998 version, one of many revivals of the production – and the third-longest-running revival in Broadway musical history. This version has a darker tone than the previous ones, though with nearly 20 songs, it’s still all about storytelling through musical theater.
Sopris Theatre Company’s “Cabaret” is directed by Brad Moore, with musical direction by Dory Light and choreography by Eric Chase. Light is a well-known performer, teacher and musical director in the valley, and Chase was a professional dancer with the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and with Hubbard Street 2. Chase currently teaches jazz for the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet School.
The musical runs April 6-7, 13-14 and 19-21 at 7 p.m., with matinees on April 8, 15 and 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20/adults and $15/CMC employees and students, and seniors.
The New Space Theatre is in the Calaway Academic Building, Colorado Mountain College Spring Valley at Glenwood Springs, 3000 County Road 114. For the 2017-18 season, Connie and Jim Calaway are the Sopris Theatre Company season producers.
For more information, call 947-8177 or go to coloradomtn.edu/theatre. For tickets, contact svticketsales@coloradomtn.edu or go to eventbrite.com.