News
September 15, 2017Theatre Institute at Sage Presents Cabaret
The Theatre Institute at Sage (TIS) presents the Kander and Ebb classic Cabaret. Set in a Berlin nightclub as the 1920’s draw to a close, a garish Master of Ceremonies welcomes the audience and assures them they will forget all their troubles at the cabaret. With the Emcee’s bawdy songs as wry commentary, Cabaret explores the dark, heady, and tumultuous lives of Berlin’s natives and expatriates as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich.
This production, featuring half TIS students and half Russell Sage College alumnae, is brought to the stage by the same creative team that led TIS’s sold-out run of Spring Awakening back in 2015. Of her time returning to TIS, choreographer Kyrie Ellison (Musical Theatre ’13) says, “It’s both nostalgic and inspiring to be back on campus working with the new generation of performers here at Sage.” Ellison describes her choreography as, “intentionally difficult…inspired by choreographers like Bob Fosse, Mia Michaels, and Susan Stroman. Even a slice of burlesque was added when considering the world of the show.”
Also part of the team is assistant director Kaleigh Cerqua (Theatre ’16). “When I received the offer to return to work on Cabaret, I immediately jumped on it without hesitation. Being welcomed back into an environment that focuses on growing and learning is a luxury that I don’t take for granted,” says Cerqua. “Cabaret is one of those shows that from the outside looks fun and sarcastic, and at times it is. However, when you dig deeper, you find a rich history and darker, more serious moments that are reflective of our everyday lives, even now in 2017.”
Both Ellison and Cerqua agree that the entire cast is a creative force to be reckoned with. Ellison says, “Never before have I worked with a more daring cast. The students greet every challenge with positivity, ask intelligent questions, and take chances without provocation!” Cerqua adds, “Balancing lines, songs, and choreography on top of classes, homework, and jobs is no simple task. Yet this group embraces it and shows up to each rehearsal with fierce determination.”
After the Sunday performance on October 8th, the cast will be joined Dr. Steven A. Leibo who will open a talkback with a brief talk putting Cabaret into context of that period in Germany.
Dr. Steven A. Leibo, the Sherman David Spector Professor in the Humanities at the Sage Colleges in New York, specializes in Modern International History & Politics. He teaches courses on a range of topics from Modern China, the Modern Middle East, and Modern World History to classes on Globalization and Climate Change.
Leibo is probably best known to upstate New York residents for his work as a frequent international political analyst for regional television, radio, and newspapers. Professor Leibo is the author/and or editor/adviser for many academic and popular works, including Understanding Angry Groups, for which he was an editor with Susan C. Cloninger.
The show will play in the campus’ Little Theater, reflective of the intimate performing spaces of past cabarets, October 6-15. While tickets will be available to purchase at the door, purchasing online beforehand is highly encouraged.
Mature content: recommended for ages 16 and up.
Performances:
Fri. Oct. 6, 7:30 pm
Sat. Oct. 7, 7:30 pm
Sun. Oct. 8, 2 pm (Followed by a talkback with Dr. Leibo)
Thur. Oct. 12, 7:30 pm
Fri. Oct. 13, 10 am & 7:30 pm
Sat. Oct. 14, 7:30 pm
Sun. Oct. 15, 2 pm
James L. Meader Little Theater
Russell Sage College, Troy campus
Tickets: $15 adults, $12 students/seniors/children, $8 Sage Community
Box Office: (518) 244-2248
