The Hilo Education Arts Repertory Theatre, or HEART — the team behind the sold out runs of “Avenue Q”and “Beauty and The Beast” — is staging the Tony Award-winning musical “Cabaret” at the East Hawaii Cultural Center.
“Cabaret,” directed by HEART Executive Director Larry Reitzer, takes audiences deep into the seedy and decadent nightlife of the Kit Kat Klub on the eve of Hitler’s rise to power in Weimar Germany.
Based on Christopher Isherwood’s Berlin Stories, “Cabaret” follows the interlocking stories of a cabaret singer, a writer from America, and the denizens of Berlin as they are caught up in the swirling maelstrom of a changing society.
Led by the enigmatic Emcee (played by Chesa Greene), “Cabaret” is an intoxicating theatrical experience, featuring well-known classic songs such as “Don’t Tell Mama,” “Maybe This Time,” and of course, “Cabaret.”
“’Cabaret’ is one of the most-celebrated, loved and revived musicals of all time,” Reitzer said in a press release. “It’s a rich and emotional story set in a sexy, hedonistic nightclub, with colorful characters that are not only complex and dark, but funny, seductive and dangerous. It’s a deeply human and complicated story about a very dark time in history.”
Joining Reitzer is Kyra Gomes, who not only musically directs the show, but also plays the leading female role of Sally Bowles, the beguiling, self-destructive chanteuse who lives with no thought or concern for tomorrow.
Audiences may remember Gomes from her last stage performance as Belle in “Beauty and the Beast.”
According to Gomes, bringing the complex and unique character of Sally Bowles to life is a dream come true and an incredible opportunity.
“My last role in Hilo was Belle, and they are considerably different characters,” she said in a press release. ‘Cabaret’ is such a powerful show and I am so honored to be part of such a talented and supportive cast.”
Choreographing the dazzling Fosse-inspired musical numbers is Aleah Kay, who recently choreographed and starred in “Avenue Q.”
“Cabaret” also features Danny Randerson, Erin Smith, Tom Mirenda, Charles Bankhead Haines, Yisa Var and an ensemble of 20 singers and dancers. The show has sets by Nicolas Souza, lights by Ariana Bassett, costumes by Lizby and makeup and hair by Mitch Hale.
It is being produced by Jason Green, Nicolas Souza and Charles Bankhead Haines for HEART.
Performances run Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. now through Aug. 14 at the East Hawaii Cultural Center.
To purchase tickets
or for further information, visit the HEART website www.hearthilo.org.
