Willkommen: Life is a Cabaret

Sally, played by senior theater major Misty Barber, shows off her moves with the Kit Kat Girls. Photo by Jacob Stone

Holly Meyer, Staff Writer

Before seeing Young Harris College’s production of Cabaret I admit I was skeptical about the show I was about to see. But, it was much better than I anticipated.

All together, the performance by the cast and production of the musical blew me away.

I had never seen or heard of the Black Box Theater before. So, it was a bit of a shock for me to see some my fellow classmates gallivanting about in silk underwear, fish net stockings and acting in promiscuous manner.

It was later explained to me during intermission that Black Box Theater is meant for an adult audience, and the subject matter preformed there is normally rather naughty.

Sally, one of the protagonists in the musical, played by Misty Barber, a senior musical theater major, in my opinion was perhaps one of the best acting performers in the production. She played the character of Sally almost flawlessly. Her vocal control and notable talent was exceptionally clear and passionate, which led me further and further into the story as the play went on.

The cabaret dancers were entertaining as well. I’m sure not many would disagree. I cringed with fear at every high kick and body bending twist executed. In heels, that must not have been an easy feat.

I was also impressed by the use of space. In the Black Box there were about eight doorways that gave almost full exposure to the backstage, and I noted how careful the actors were to save face when passing by. Also, the use of the balcony was creative and imaginative. It kept me wondering where the next actor would emerge, which kept me on my toes throughout the performance.

Aside from only one or two stumbles in dialog, I was impressed by the performance, and I would definitely take the opportunity to see it again.

Cabaret performs with all corsets off

By Ellen Mayfield, Staff Writer

Ashley Ware from Dacula plays one of the Kit Kat girls in Young Harris College's production of Cabaret. Photo by Jacob Stone

Kicking off the first theatrical performance of the Young Harris College 2010 fall semester is “Cabaret,” a dark comedy following two improbable love stories. Based on a play by John Van Druten, “Cabaret” is a “story set in 1931 Berlin as the Nazis are rising to power, focusing on the fantasy-like world of the Kit Kat Klub where English performer Sally Bowles has a relationship with Clifford Bradshaw.”

Set to be held in Dobbs Theater from September 23 through October 2, tickets are $5 for students and faculty, and $15 for adults. Tickets can be bought online from the Young Harris box office website, or you can call 706-379-4307.

“This show is different from a lot of the musicals we do.  It has fabulous music and can be very funny, but can be pretty dark too,” says Eddie Collins, assistant professor of theater and department chair. “It deals with some very mature subject matter, as you would imagine from a play set in a nightclub in Berlin during the rise of the Nazi party.”

Cheyenne Teeple, a sophomore theater major says “many people will come to ‘Cabaret’ not knowing what it is really about. They will come thinking it is just a collaboration of upbeat dance numbers and suggestive choreography. But it is so much more than that, it is a tribute to a horrific time in history.”

Collins says the play can be described by the last two lines of the play: “There was a Cabaret and there was a city called Berlin in a country called Germany, and it was the end of the world and I was dancing with Sally Bowles– and we were both fast asleep.”

Opening night was Thursday, September 23 at 7:00 p.m. and closing night tonight, October 2 at 10:00 p.m.

Come to Cabaret

Come see Cabaret. Tickets are on sell in the lobby of Goolsby Center and by phone at (706) 379-4307 or by going online at Theater Young Harris online box office. The box office is open from 3 – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The show runs Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Next weekend, the show runs  from Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m.

Photos by Jacob Stone