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“Cabaret” Bowing at Cuesta
It has been more than 15 years since Cuesta College students staged a Broadway musical. Now, the wait is almost over.
Through the magic of the proscenium, theatergoers will be transported to the turbulent l930s Berlin with “Cabaret.” Set against the backdrop of Hitler’s rise to power, the play was a spectacular Broadway staging, which went on to become a hit movie starring Liza Minnelli. From the eyes of American dancer, Sally Bowles, “Cabaret” explores a variety of characters who wander into the performer’s life: a rich German politician, a young Jewish man struggling with his identity, an English teacher from London and the all-knowing Emcee, who works with Bowles at the “Kit Kat Club.”
The production is being directed by Cuesta’s bree valle, the full-time drama faculty member in the Performing Arts Department. With 32 performers and more than 50 students working on the technical crew, as well as more than a dozen different dance and/or singing numbers, valle says tackling this production has been a challenge. Rehearsal time alone is taking up more than 20 hours a week. “Musicals cost a lot of money,” says valle. “And they require the collaboration of many individuals. There was also the challenge of finding students who are able to dance, sing and act.” Nonetheless, valle says that since coming to Cuesta, she has always wanted to tackle a musical. “With the addition of Jennifer Martin to the Performing Arts staff, who also wanted to stage a musical,” valle says, “We are off and running.”
The decision to produce “Cabaret” as opposed to another musical was easy. “This is one story that can be reimagined and made to yield new truths,” says valle. “Given our current world affairs, I thought it was a very timely piece. Like the l930s, what is going on here, both in the United States and around the world, is unsettling, scary and sad. And, like then, we are also at war.”
More than 100 actresses auditioned for the coveted role of Sally Bowles. “She had to have a great voice, great instincts, understand movement, be committed and also have a certain vulnerability,” says valle. The role ended up going to Cuesta actor Kristen Tuculet, who recently starred as Pam in the Cuesta College production of “Cocktails at Pam’s.” “Tuculet,” says vallee, “Is marvelous and everything any director could hope for.” Bo Branum will play the equally demanding part of the Emcee (Joel Grey had the part on both Broadway and in the film, winning a Tony and an Oscar.)
“Cabaret” will premiere at the Cuesta College Interact Theatre on April 28 with nine more performances that month and the first part of May. The last performance will be a “Friday the 13th” show at 9:30 p.m. Admission for all seats is $12, with a ticket price of $10 for students with valid IDs. To purchase tickets, contact the Interact at 546-3198. |
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