Department of Film, Television, and Theatre to present "Cabaret," its first full-scale musical in 20 years

“Cabaret,” winner of the 1967 Tony Award for very best musical, is coming to the University of Notre Dame Wednesday-Sunday (Nov. 13-17).

Acknowledged for its excellent music, edgy themes and underlying social issues, the demonstrate will be the very first full-scale musical the Division of Movie, Tv, and Theatre (FTT) has developed in a lot more than twenty many years, stated Associate Professor Kevin Dreyer.

Much more than a hundred students will be concerned as cast and crew in the show — about four instances the amount of college students needed for a non-musical production.

To bring the notorious Kit Kat Klub in “Cabaret” to existence, FTT is partnering with the Division of Music and PEMCo, the greatest student-run musical theater business on campus.

This collaboration was essential, mentioned Dreyer. “We’ve obtained extraordinary assistance from across the campus and specially the dean’s workplace to make this happen. I can’t tension adequate how significantly we enjoy that.”

As portion of the cooperative work, Dan Stowe, associate specialist expert in the Division of Music, will serve as music director for the 25 college students who will give orchestral assistance for the duration of the performances.

Senior Samantha Schubert, a theater major and producer for the PEMCo 2013-14 season, explained she is fired up about this very first-time partnership amongst FTT and the pupil theater organization. “To see two groups with such passion for what they do come with each other signifies so significantly. I’m just content to see this bridge being constructed.

“I think it’s a excellent stepping stone toward generating a stronger, lasting relationship.”

Schubert appears forward to functioning behind the scenes on “Cabaret.” She mentioned that it is an thrilling chance for college students to operate with professional director Nathan Halvorson, who will be brought in for the manufacturing.

“Because the director is from outdoors the University, it’s a chance for students to get new insight on their performances from a person with a fresh viewpoint,” she mentioned.

Halvorson is equally enthusiastic about operating with the Notre Dame faculty and college students for the very first time. “One of the joys of my life is getting ready to educate and hopefully pass on some of the things that I have discovered over my profession.

“As far as I can inform, the college students at Notre Dame are centered, driven and talented. Nothing at all helps make me happier than getting able to combine the artistic procedure with schooling.”

Although he has directed and choreographed a broad assortment of musicals, Halvorson mentioned that he has a longstanding interest in “Cabaret.” Set in 1931 Berlin amid the increasing threat of the Nazi celebration, it is the story of a struggling American author and a British cabaret singer.

“’Cabaret’ was a game-changing musical when it initial premiered,” Halvorson mentioned. “It took a horrific circumstance in historical past and used the musical theater kind as the lens to inform the story. It was the very first musical to not use a primary curtain, there was no overture, and it did not shy away from the topic matter in the slightest.

“It was genuinely revolutionary at the time, and it nonetheless is.”

Dreyer agreed, saying that the “very human story” and deeper problems within “Cabaret” appealed to the division, as nicely as the fact that it is an “excellent piece of theater with fantastic music.”

Looking ahead, Dreyer hopes to consist of a musical in the FTT theater season each 3 to 4 years.

“’Cabaret’ is going to be a really fascinating manufacturing and hopefully historic — it will be launching a new trend inside theater production at Notre Dame.”

Initially published by Carrie Gates at al.nd.edu on Sept. 26, 2013.

Department of Film, Television, and Theatre to present "Cabaret," its first full-scale musical in 20 years