PARK RAPIDS — “Life is a cabaret, old chum. Come to the cabaret.”
Since its creation in 1951, the musical Cabaret has lost none of its power to entice, dazzle and engage audiences. Though set in Berlin in the late 1920s, it still speaks to modern theater-goers.
The Northern Light Opera Company presents their production of Cabaret July 31 through Aug. 8 at the Armory Arts and Event Center in Park Rapids.
It tells the story of a young American author going to Berlin in the late 1920s to work on his book. He finds himself pulled into the local cabaret scene by English singer Sally Bowles. All the while, the Nazi party is growing in power in the background.
Director Lisa Dove told Area Voices on the KAXE Morning Show that she’s noticed a lot of productions of Cabaret happening lately.
Dove said, “It feels like it's a cautionary tale, but it also just feels very alive and relevant right now.”
Actor Shayley Jordan, who is playing Sally Bowles, has been a fan of the show since she first encountered it her freshman year of college.
“There was something about the character of Sally Bowles that just drew me in,” Jordan said. “There are so many layers to her character, and it is kind of just truly a treat as an actor to get to play so many different levels.”
Most of the show takes place at either the cabaret club or in an apartment. Jordan said it’s been fun working with these two very different spaces. One space, she performs a character in over the top and flashy numbers, and then she’s much more grounded in the other.
“The contrast between the two things is so obvious, or at least I hope it'll be really obvious to the audience,” Jordan added.
The setup for the show at the Armory Arts and Event Center will be a unique one. It will be “in the round,” where the stage will be in the middle of the audience with stairs on all sides. Cafe table seating closer to the stage will be available.
There will also be a live band as part of the cabaret show. Usually in musicals, actors don’t acknowledge where the music is coming from, so the cast is excited to have a chance to build a relationship with the band as they’re performing.
Tickets are available on the Northern Light Opera Company’s website and at Beagle and Wolf Books & Bindery in Park Rapids.
As for what audiences should expect, Jordan said, “I think audiences should just come into it just being really open and being ready to go on a very emotional roller coaster.”
Dove added, “We kind of embrace the liveness. So audiences, you're a part of it. I hope people come willing to be an active audience too.”
Tell us about upcoming arts events where you live in Northern Minnesota by emailing psa@kaxe.org.
Area Voices is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.
