Kate Shindle stars as Sally Bowles in the Ogunquit Playhouse production of ‘Cabaret,” which starts July 17. SUBMITTED PHOTO

OGUNQUIT – Decadent nightlife meets dangerous times at Berlin’s alluring Kit Kat Klub in the iconic Broadway musical “Cabaret,” on stage July 17 through Aug. 10.

Set in the cabaret underworld on the eve of Hitler’s rise to power, the Ogunquit production is based on the searing Sam Mendes and Rob Marshall musical recently revived on Broadway and is staged by BT McNicholl, who directed the Playhouse production of “Cabaret” in 2006.

The show stars stage and screen actors Randy Harrison as the Emcee and Kate Shindle as Sally Bowles. The Ogunquit production also features Billy Harrigan Tighe as Cliff Bradshaw, Mariette Hartley as Fraulein Schneider, John Rubinstein as Herr Schultz, Noah Plomgren as Ernst Ludwig, and Katrina Yaukey as Fraulein Kost. The Ogunquit production features the Broadway set based on the original design by Robert Brill and the Broadway costumes by William Ivey Long.

“Cabaret” tells the story of Cliff Bradshaw, a young American writer newly arrived in Berlin, who falls in love with cabaret singer Sally Bowles. Their romance sizzles amid the back room culture of the cabaret and the tumultuous atmosphere of pre-Nazi Germany. “Cabaret” is a raw and powerful jazz musical that explores the dark life of Berlin’s natives and expatriates as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich. The show has had numerous Broadway and London revivals, features a book by Joe Masteroff and is the winner of multiple Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score for John Kander (music) and Fred Ebb’s (lyrics) compelling musical numbers which include, “Willkommen,” “Money,” “Tomorrow Belongs To Me,” “Maybe This Time” and “Cabaret.”

Starring as the cabaret’s master of ceremonies is Randy Harrison. He returns to this role after his standout performance in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s 2016 National Touring production. Harrison’s recent roles include Prior in “Angels in America Parts 1 & 2” at Berkeley Repertory Theater and George in Guthrie Theater’s “Sunday in the Park with George.” In New York, he has appeared on Broadway in “Wicked” and Off-Broadway in “Harbor,” “Edward the Second,” “Antony and Cleopatra,” and “The Singing Forest.” He’s also appeared on television.

Kate Shindle makes her Ogunquit Playhouse debut as the sultry Sally Bowles. On Broadway, she has starred in “Cabaret,” “Wonderland,” “Jekyll & Hyde,” and was an original cast member of “Legally Blonde.” She also has other theater, film and television credits. Shindle is the President of Actors’ Equity Association and President of the Theatre Authority.

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Star of the stage, screen, and television Mariette Hartley joins the cast as Fraulein Schneider, revisiting the role she first portrayed on Broadway in the 2003 revival of “Cabaret.” She has appeared in numerous films, including “Ride the High Country,” “Marnie” and “Marooned.” She is an Emmy winner and five-time nominee for her television appearances. Her numerous Broadway credits include “Trojan Women,” for which she received a Drama-Logue Award and “Enchanted April” for which she received an Ovation nomination.

Starring opposite Ms. Hartley is Tony Award-winner John Rubinstein as Herr Schultz. Rubinstein originated the title role in Bob Fosse’s “Pippin” and won the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for his performance in “Children of a Lesser God. Rubinstein has numerous other theater and film credits, recorded over 200 audiobooks, and starred in over 300 television episodes and miniseries.

Joining the cast as Cliff Bradshaw is Billy Harrigan Tighe. He performed on Broadway in “Pippin,” Off-Broadway in “Sweeney Todd,” and the West End as Elder Price in “The Book of Mormon.” Tighe has been in numerous National Tours including Finding Neverland as JM Barrie, The Book of Mormon as Elder Price, Wicked, La Cage Aux Folles, and Dirty Dancing.

Noah Plomgren makes his Playhouse debut as Ernst Ludwig. Plomgren has performed in the National Tours of “Finding Neverland “and “Hair,” and has performed regionally.

Portraying Fraulein Kost is Katrina Yaukey. She has numerous Broadway performances.

Returning to Ogunquit to direct the Playhouse production of Cabaret is BT McNicholl. He has helmed many shows for the Playhouse including “Cabaret” in 2006, “Fiddler on the Roof,” (2008), “La Cage Aux Folles,” (2007), and more. Serving on the creative team of 12 Broadway shows, he has associated with directors Sam Mendes, Rob Marshall, Stephen Daldry, and the legendary Mike Nichols, among others. His international productions and National Tours include “Spamalot” and “The Producers.” McNicholl is a BMI Award-winning songwriter and wrote the lyrics for The It Girl, published by Samuel French. He is currently the Producing Artistic Director of La Mirada Theatre in Los Angeles.

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Choreographer for “Cabaret” is Andrea Leigh, who performed in the 2006 Ogunquit Playhouse production of “Cabaret.” She has served as Choreographer and Assistant Choreographer on numerous productions of “Cabaret,” including at the John Engeman Theatre, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, and on the National Tour.

Returning to the Ogunquit Playhouse as Music Director of “Cabaret” is Bruce Barnes. Barnes was last at the Playhouse in 2006’s” Cabaret” and 1993’s “Nunsense II”. He has worked on numerous Broadway productions.

The original Broadway scenic designs are by Robert Brill, whose Broadway credits include the set and club design for the critically acclaimed revival of “Cabaret, among many others. Original costume designs are by six-time Tony Award winner, William Ivey Long. Long has designed costumes for over 70 Broadway productions and has been nominated for 15 Tony Awards.

Lighting Design is by Richard Latta, the resident lighting designer for Ogunquit Playhouse who was recently was nominated for an IRNE Award for Best Lighting Design for his work on the 2018 production of “An American in Paris.” Kevin Heard is Sound Designer, returning to the Playhouse for his 18th Ogunquit production. Heard won an IRNE Award for Best Sound Design for his work on the 2017 production of “Ragtime.” Wig/Hair & Makeup Designer for “Cabaret” is Roxanne De Luna. Her previous creations were seen in the recent Ogunquit Playhouse productions of  “42nd Street” and “Elf the Musical.” Casting is by Anthony C. Daniel. Associate Director and Production Stage Manager is Robert V. Thurber.

The Ogunquit Playhouse’s season continues with the first play to grace the Playhouse stage in over a decade, “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express,” Aug.14 through 31; the hilarious” Menopause the Musical” for two weeks only, Sept. 4 through 14; and the Tony Award-winning, smash hit musical “Kinky Boots,” on stage Sept. 18 through Oct. 27. The season will stretch to the holidays once again with the timeless classic, “Annie” in collaboration with The Music Hall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Nov. 27 through Dec. 22.

Tickets for “Cabaret,” and other shows, are on sale now. Preview performances start at $36, and economy seats start at $51 each. Audience members can immerse themselves in the show with stage-side table seating. Contact the “Cabaret” concierge line to learn more, 646-5511 ext. 328. The production contains adult subject matter, a review of the content advisory online is recommended before purchasing tickets. To learn more about becoming a Playhouse member, subscriber, or to purchase tickets and gift cards, visit www.ogunquitplayhouse.org or call the Ogunquit Playhouse Box Office at 646-5511.

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