March 26, 2008

• Theater transformed into Kit Kat Klub

• Audience sits at café tables

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB Theatre presents "Cabaret," with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, at 7:30 p.m. nightly April 16-19 and at 2 p.m. April 20, in the Alys Stephens Center's Sirote Theatre, 1200 10th Ave. S. This show is directed by Karla Koskinen. "Cabaret" contains adult subject matter and language. Tickets are $15 and $12; UAB/BACHE students $6; UAB employees and senior citizens $10. Call 205-975-2787 or visit UAB Theatre online.

Set in Berlin on the eve of the Nazis' rise to power, "Cabaret" focuses on nightlife at the seedy Kit Kat Klub. Join UAB Theatre as they transform the Sirote Theatre into the cabaret: a world of cafe tables and chairs flowing seamlessly onto the stage. The downstairs audience is ushered on stage where they are escorted to their seats by the Kit Kat Boys. The Emcee leads the audience through stories inside and outside of the cabaret world. UAB Theatre's show looks to create an accurate picture of life in 1930's Weimar Germany. Berlin was labeled a "sin city" as restrictions were lifted and artists and performers pushed the boundaries, Koskinen said.

"This is the atmosphere that existed before the Nazis took power," she said. "Many shut their eyes to what was happening and tried desperately to hang on to the party atmosphere. They wanted life to be a cabaret where fantasy was possible and reality was kept at bay."

The cast is Jon Prensner of Colorado Springs, Co.; Krystal Hsu and Graham Roden of Huntsville; Diann Gogerty of Alabaster; Sandra Aguilar and Katie Hines of Hoover; Rebecca Owens of Trussville; Lauren Bowling of Rome, Ga.; Michael Dunlap of Birmingham; Chuckie Fuoco of New Orleans, La.; Dillon Bullard of Opp; Will Rainer of Enterprise; Atom Bennett and Aimee Fincher of Decatur; Hannah Hughes of Vestavia; and Alec James of Madison. Costume design is by Amanda Mattes of Hoover.