THEATER PREVIEW: ‘Cabaret’ brings Broadway vets

When “Cabaret” opens for a two-week engagement in the Laguna Beach High School Artists Theater next weekend, under the auspices of Gallimaufry Performing Arts, there will be a few links to Broadway in the production.

Director Jonelle Allen, who was nominated for a Tony award for her performance in “Two Gentlemen of Verona,” has had a distinguished professional career beginning as a child playing on Broadway opposite Helen Hayes.

Allen also performed on Broadway in the original productions of “Hair” and “George M,” though most audiences may recognize her from her long-running TV role as Grace on “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.”

Heading the cast as nightclub singer Sally Bowles will be Juliet Fischer-Schulein, who also carries abundant Broadway credits.

She has appeared in the Broadway and touring companies of “Chicago,” “Kiss Me Kate,” “On the Town” and “A Christmas Carol” and also was a Radio City Music Hall Rockette for five years.

Fischer-Schulein will be most recognizable to Gallimaufry audiences, however, as Cassie in the company’s recent production of “A Chorus Line.”

Reuniting with her will be Gallimaufry artistic director Steve Josephson, who played Zach in that show, and will share top billing as the emcee.

“I can’t imagine a better pair playing these characters either on Broadway or in a film,” director Allen declares.

“I’ve worked with and know many of the stars of previous production, including Joel Grey, and I think this pairing is one of the best.”

Also featured in the “Cabaret” cast will be Rob Harryman as American journalist Clifford Bradshaw, Julie Gibson Josephson as Berlin landlady Fraulein Schneider and Rich Wordes as Jewish grocer Herr Schultz. Martha Davis is the hooker Fraulein Kost, and Tom Keyes portrays the Nazi businessman Ernst Ludwig.

The Kit Kat Club performers include Michelle Ditto, Greg Engelking, Kelly Hancock, Maggie Howell, Ericka Jones, Lauren Kadel, Brendan McGrady, Lisa Morrice, Samantha Morrice, Nark Nunuz, Noah Plomgrem, Shafi Rajput and Nick Shopoff.

Created by the team of John Kander and Fred Ebb, the original 1966 production of “Cabaret” was nominated for 11 Tony awards, winning eight.

The 1972 movie version earned 10 Oscar nominations and eight wins.

The 1988 Broadway revival was nominated for another 10 Tony awards.

Laguna’s “Cabaret” will be staged for two weekends, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. through July 26, at the Artists Theater on the Laguna High campus.

Tickets may be purchased through Gallimaufry’s website, www.gallimaufry.info, or by calling (949) 499-5060.

WHAT: “Cabaret”

WHO: Gallimaufry Performing Arts

WHERE: Laguna Beach High School Artists Theater, 650 Park Ave., Laguna Beach

WHEN: 8 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturdays, July 17, 18, 19 and 24, 25 and 26

COST: $20 to $25 for general reserved, $15 to $20 for students and seniors

TICKETS: Call (949) 499-5060 or visit www.gallimaufry.info

TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Coastline Pilot.