Purdue News
Purdue News
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April 5, 2002
Award-winning revival of 'Cabaret' to play Elliott HallWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The revolutionary reinvention of John Kander and Fred Ebb's hit musical "Cabaret" will be presented at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 14, in the Elliott Hall of Music. Tickets are $36, $31, $27 or $12 for general public; $28, $24, $20 or $12 for Purdue students and children K-12. Tickets can be purchased at Purdue box offices or charged by phone at (765) 494-3933 or (800) 914-SHOW. "Cabaret" is presented by Purdue Convocations. This revival was the winner of four 1998 Tony Awards, including best revival. The production brings the seedy glamour of the legendary Kit Kat Klub to Purdue, after being the talk of both New York and London. The New York Times wrote: "Stunning. 'Cabaret' has returned with a vengeance!" The musical is based on the true-life observations of Christopher Isherwood, who wrote "Berlin Stories" about his experiences in Germany between 1929 and 1932. Playwright John Van Druten turned one of these stories, "Sally Bowles," into the play "I Am a Camera," which was produced on Broadway in 1952 starring Julie Harris. Playwright Joe Masteroff had the idea of developing the story into a musical and brought it to the attention of Harold Prince, who contacted the composer-lyricist team of Kander and Ebb. The original production went on to receive eight Tony Awards in 1967, including best play. "Cabaret" tells the story of an English woman's romance with an American writer, set against the background of a crumbling Germany at the start of the Third Reich. The show contains some of the best-known songs in musical theater history, including "Wilkommen," "Maybe This Time," "Money (Makes the World Go Around)" and "Cabaret." The revival of "Cabaret" features original direction by Sam Mendes, recreated for the tour by B.T. McNichol. Mendes was awarded the 1999 Academy Award for his film directorial debut of "American Beauty." Kander and Ebb, who won the 1998 Kennedy Center Honors for achievement in the arts, are two of the most successful and prolific collaborators in the American theater. In addition to "Cabaret," they are currently represented on Broadway with the award-winning revival of "Chicago." "Cabaret" is intended for a mature audience. It contains strong language and sexual situations that some may find offensive. CONTACT: Larry Sommers, Purdue Convocations, (765) 494-5045, lsommers@purdue.edu. NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: A publication-quality photograph of a scene from "Cabaret" is available. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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