Nelson's production of Cabaret most likely to join the 'hit musical' parade
By Bruce Fuhr
It’s getting so close the cast is beginning to count sleeps.
In less than a week the lights will be on high burn for the opening of the hit musical Cabaret is coming to Capitol Theatre May 30-June 1.
“Were all getting excited . . . the whole cast is getting excited,” director Pat Henman told The Nelson Daily recently.
“We’re to the point where we’re doing run-throughs of the play. Everybody is off book working hard on characters and pace get that play where it needs to be.”
Cabaret, based on a book written by Christopher Isherwood, is a 1966 Broadway production that became a hit and spawned a 1972 film as well as numerous subsequent theatre productions.
Henman is the director with music under the guidance of Rick Lingard and choreography by Mackenzie Hope.
She has worked in theatre across Canada, in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Toronto, Saskatchewan, Vancouver all across Canada and moved to Nelson with young children because “I heard it was a great little arts town.”
“People can expect to see a professional performance of musical theatre here in little old Nelson of 10,000 people,” Henman explained when asked what the audience can expect when the current rises for the first of four shows Thursday.
“They can expect to fantastic costumes . . . and makeup that matches the period of the costumes the actual feel of the whole burlesque feel of 1930s Berlin.”
Henman said that’s what producer and lead actor Sydney Black bas been working toward since the pair hooked up to join forces on Cabaret.
“People will feel the grimy, dirty there so much to the play that actually lends itself to what the era was like in Germany It was such a unique time in our history,” said Henman, who was assistant director to the recent Nelson arts success story, Jesus Christ Superstar.
“They can also expect to hear amazing singers . . . like the vocalists are just fantastic.”
The cast of 18, narrowed down from a 60-person audition in January, is now on the home stretch with two practice sessions per week while set and costume designers work feverously to put the package together.
Headlining the show is, of course, Black who is wearing more wearing more hats than a Little League baseball team.
“Sydney Black is just blowing me away with her portrayal of Sally Bowles,” the Musquodoboit Harbor, Nova Scotia native exclaimed.
“I’m not saying that just because she is the producer she’s just fantastic.”
Henman is also impressed with 19-year-old Lewis Butterfield is adapting to his part.
“Talk about a singer and a personality on stage he’s really bringing new life to the “Emcee” character,” she said.
Butterfield is just one of many hidden secrets hiding inside the Heritage City arts community who will be unveiled during the performance.
“Whether its because of the Selkirk College music program is bringing in extraordinary singers — four of our performers are Selkirk College music students — or Sydney, who went away to Dalhousie University in Halifax to study theatre which is my Alma mater, we’ve got people who have done the work elsewhere, in other areas and big cities who decided to go back to the little town life and they love Nelson,” said Henman.
Tickets for any one of the four shows — Thursday, Friday or Saturday (May 30 to June 1) at 8 p.m. or the matinee Saturday, June 1 at 2 p.m. — are available at the Capitol Theatre Box Office or online at www.capitoltheatre.bc.ca
There is also a special Capitol Theatre Fundraiser set for Friday (May 31) at 11 p.m. The audience is invited to dress up in their favourite Kit Kat Kostumes.
Cost is $22 for adults or $17 for students.
Cabaret is presented with special permission from Toms Witmark Music Library Inc.
“I just think that Nelson and hopefully there’s just going to so entertained and walk away with more than just hearing music but also having a little bit of touched engaged and moved to what there are going to see . . .that’s what I’m working toward,” said Henman.
