The Peterborough Players’ stage comes roaring back to life with “Cabaret,” the classic musical with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and a book by Joe Masteroff.
It is the first main stage Players production to return indoors since February of 2020. “Cabaret” opens Thursday, June 23, and runs until Sunday, July 3.
In the cabaret, life is beautiful, and troubles are to be forgotten. Yet, while Cliff Bradshaw, an American writer, and a starry-eyed young British singer named Sally Bowles stumble through their bohemian world of 1930s Berlin, the Third Reich rises to power all around them. This multi-Tony Award-winning musical boasts a host of legendary Broadway tunes – from “Maybe This Time” to “Willkommen” to the title number.
“When we started to discuss our 2022 season, I felt strongly that it was time for ‘Cabaret.’ We all remember it as the ultimate song-and-dance musical, but at its core it asks really difficult questions about a moment in history that cannot, and must not, be forgotten,” said Artistic Director Tom Frey, who directs the piece. “So many notes I’ve read about the show say, ‘Sadly, still relevant…’ and that’s true. Not only is it timeless in its structure, but its themes remain sadly, still relevant.”
As director, Frey is joined by choreographer Ilyse Robbins (“Beehive: The ’60s Musical” at the Players, Elliot Norton Award winner for “Swan Lake in Blue” at Greater Boston Stage Co.). In addition, the Players welcomes music director Jenny Kim-Godfrey (award-winning opera singer and resident music director for Norwegian Cruise Lines). Scenic design is by Charles Morgan, costume design is by Sam Fleming, wig design is by Stephanie Echevarria, props design is by Emily Allinson, lighting design is by Kevin Frazier and sound design is by Alex Trombly of AMT Productions. Julia Perez and Vanessa C. Hart are Actors’ Equity Stage Management.
The cast features Players’ newcomers Matthew McGloin (“2 Pianos 4 Hands,” Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park) in the role of the emcee, Broadway veteran Joy Hermalyn (“Caroline, or Change,” “Fiddler on the Roof” on Broadway) as Fraulein Schneider, Brandon Grimes (national tours of “Jekyll and Hyde” and “All is Calm”) as Bradshaw and Michelle Beth Herman (national tour of “Les Misérables”) as Bowles.
Players’ regulars Kraig Swartz (“Fully Committed” at the Players, “The Legend of Georgia McBride” at Florida Studio Theatre) and Bridget Beirne (“The Drowsy Chaperone” at the Players, “Mack and Mabel” at Stages Repertory Theatre) appear as Herr Schultz and Fraulein Kost, respectively. The swirling world of Berlin is created by Russell Garrett (“The Scarlett Pimpernel” on Broadway) as Ernst Ludwig, Isaac Phaman Reynolds (“Allegiance” at SpeakEasy Stage) as Bobby and Philip Kershaw (“Our Town” at the Players, “Julius Caesar” at Houston Shakespeare Festival) as Max, as well as Audrey Adji, Maleah Boyd-Gouveia, Max Elliott Braunstein, Gregory Coulter, ZaramaríaFas, Joe Greenan, Kate Kenney (“Our Town” at the Players), Robert Liniak, Katie Shults (“Beehive: The ’60s Musical” at the Players), Zhang Bai-han, and Lucy Zukaitis (Dumas’ “Camille” at the Players) as members of the Kit Kat club and others.
Food Truck Night and pay-what-you-can tickets
In addition to a post-show Talkback June 26, the Players will hold the first Food Truck Night of the 2022 season July 1. Blackfire Farm will be on-site with wood-fired pizzas, available for purchase between 5 to 7 p.m. before curtain. Pay-what-you-can tickets will be available on Friday, June 24, to anyone who needs assistance accessing tickets to Players’ productions. Tickets must be reserved ahead of time through the box office at 603-924-7585.
Single tickets for “Cabaret” are $47. Season subscriptions for $188 are available for purchase through July 3. Barn Door Flex Passes are available throughout the season. Tickets can be purchased at www.peterboroughplayers.org or by calling the box office at 603-924-7585.
“Circle Mirror Transformation” by Annie Baker runs from July 7 to 17. Directed by Frey, company members Douglas Rees (“Arsenic and Old Lace” at the Players, “Our Town” at Alabama Shakespeare Festival), Kate Kenney (“Our Town” at the Players, national tour of “A Christmas Carol”), Philip Kershaw (“Our Town” at the Players, “Apollo 8” at A.D. Players), and Katie Shults (“Beehive: The ’60s Musical” at the Players, “Pride and Prejudice” at Lost Nation Theatre) return for the production, joined by new company member Marina Re (an award-winner for “Master Class” at Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre).
The American premiere of Marcia Johnson’s “Serving Elizabeth” is July 21 to 31. The Players welcomes Cezar Williams (artistic director of the Obie Award-winning The Fire This Time Festival) as director. Company members Tracey Conyer Lee (“Our Town” at the Players, “Lady Day” at Emerson’s Bar & Grill around the country) and Andrea Fleming (“Beehive: The ’60s Musical at the Players, “The Color Purple” at The Phoenix Theatre Company) portray mother/daughter duo Mercy and Faith, among others, with Kate Kenney portraying then-Princess Elizabeth and more.
The show “2 Pianos 4 Hands” by Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt returns with a new team of actors. Frey directs McGloin and Jefferson McDonald (“2 Pianos 4 Hands” at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Jefferson McDonald’s “Great Balls of Fire”).
The final main stage production of the season, “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill” by Lanie Robertson rounds out the summer season. Featuring Tracey Conyer Lee as Billie Holiday, the Players also welcomes Kevin R. Free (artistic director of Mile Square Theatre) as the director. New company member Jo’Siah Shan debuts as Jimmy.
On dates throughout the summer, the Players welcome the return of theater for the young with the Second Company show “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” Directed and choreographed by Ilyse Robbins, this show features a score by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty and will be performed outdoors on the new Elsewhere Stage. Members of the 2022 Second Company hail from around the country, and represent schools like Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, Dillard, Hofstra and Morgan State, among others. Visit peterboroughplayers.org for performance dates. Tickets for Second Company shows are $10 for children, $15 for adults.
Post-show Talkback Nights will take place the first Sunday of every main stage run.
For information, visit Peterborough Players, 55 Hadley Road, Peterborough 03458 or peterboroughplayers.org.