About Cabaret

Book by Joe Masteroff
Music by John Kander
Based on the play by John Druten & Christopher Isherwood
Lyrics by Fred Ebb

The winner of 10 TONY awards.

Cabaret takes place from 1929-1930, a time when Berlin, in the midst of a post-World War I economic depression, is transitioning from a center of underground, avant-garde cultural epicenter to the beginnings of Hitler’s totalitarian regime and the rise of the Nazi Party. Into this world enters Clifford Bradshaw, a struggling American writer looking for inspiration for his next novel. On his first night in Berlin, Cliff wanders into the Kit Kat Klub, a seedy nightclub overseen by the strange, omniscient and gender-bending Master of Ceremonies, “the Emcee.” Here, Cliff meets Sally Bowles, a vivacious, talented cabaret performer, and an utterly lost soul. Sally and Cliff begin a relationship, which blossoms unexpectedly into a dream-like romance. As time passes, however, the situation in Berlin changes from exciting and vital to ominous and violent; Ernst, Cliff’s first German friend, turns out to be an up-and-coming member of the Nazi Party, and Herr Schultz, a fellow boarder at Fraulein Schneider’s guest house (and Schneider’s fiancée), is the victim of an Anti-Semitic hate crime. When he finds out that Sally is pregnant, Cliff decides that they must leave for America at once, before things get any worse. Sally, afraid, confused, and unsure that she’ll ever really be able to trade the sexy, illicit cabaret lifestyle for motherhood, gets an abortion, and tells Cliff that he must leave without her. With a distinctly Brechtian dose of provocation and a score featuring songs that have become classics of the American Musical Theater, Cabaret is a fierce, meaty musical that pushes the boundaries of the form and literally holds “the mirror up to nature.”

 

Brundage Park Playhouse

 

BRUNDAGE PARK PLAYHOUSE
2 Bungalow Lane, Randolph, NJ 07869

 Brundage Park Playhouse is sponsored by the Randolph Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services. It had its beginning in the fall of 1978 when the Randolph Recreation Committee approved the Randolph community theater program. In the summer of 1979, the theater performed its first production, the musical Pippin. For the following three summers, several musicals and one drama were presented using the Randolph High School auditorium.

 

During the fall of 1982, with the help of the Kiwanis Club of Randolph, a proposal was made to convert several buildings in Brundage Park into a home for the theater. Since that time, a hard-working crew of volunteers and staff has converted these buildings into a rehearsal studio, costume shop, scene shop and our present Playhouse.

We work very hard to maintain professional atmosphere and comfortable surroundings. The Township provides space and support staff, and the playhouse continues to raise funds for renovations, improvements and general operations to keep it a self-sustaining program.  The theater has become a central gathering place for people interested in the performing arts.

We provide a wide range of theatrical experiences including major productions, children’s theater, performing arts classes and several summer theater camp programs.  During the course of our seasons, you can expect to see a wide variety of main stage shows including productions designed specifically for children (For Kids by Kids), comedies, dramas, musicals, classical works, innovative contemporary plays: in short, something for everyone!

Our professional staff, in conjunction with many volunteers and our Brundage Park Advisory Board, works cooperatively to make Brundage Park Playhouse an entertaining and enriching resource.  We hope to continue the evolution of our theater and look to expand the involvement of residents in our organization.

Brundage Park Playhouse is committed to the patrons and its primary goal, which is to service the community by bringing quality entertainment and innovative programming as a convenient and affordable venue.  Volunteers are always needed in assisting as ushers and support staff.  Please call the playhouse at 973-989-7092 if you are interested in joining our dedicated BPP family.

Celebrating 45 years of theater entertainment!

 

BRUNDAGE PARK PLAYHOUSE | The Community Theater of Randolph, NJ