Theatre Woodstock’s ‘Cabaret’ cast and crew looking forward to production

Theatre Woodstock's Cabaret cast and crew are looking forward to bring the production to the stage. (Left to right): Dana Fobert, Emil Wijnker, and James Callaghan. (Emily Stewart Photo)

Emily Stewart, Echo Correspondent

There’s lots of excitement as performers, production team, and members of Theatre Woodstock get ready to present their winter musical.

The organization is bringing the legendary musical Cabaret to the stage. The production by Joe Masteroff, John Kander and Fred Ebb, based on the John Van Druten play and stories by Christopher Isherwood, will take audiences to Berlin in the late 1920s just before Germany leans towards the emerging Third Reich.

“It's a very iconic show,” director Joey Larmour said. “Very catchy music and the story is very, not sure of the word I'm thinking of, it's not joyful. It's not a comedy. There is some comedy to it, but it's a show about the rise of Nazism in Germany. It's not a bright, colourful subject so I think it'll just be a very unique experience to go out and see."

About 50 people auditioned for Cabaret. Larmour said that the cast and crew are enthusiastic to perform the musical. Some who auditioned wanted to be part of the show in some capacity, whether it was on stage or other.

“We've had people reach out to be a part of the show in some way backstage,” he said. “Whether it's assistant stage managing or doing anything. A lot of people came to the auditions to say if they didn’t get a part, they’d like to be a part of the crew because they just want to be a part of it."

Theatre Woodstock’s production of Cabaret was first announced in March 2024, about 11 months ahead of the performance dates. The announcement came after the community theatre company just wrapped up a successful run of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella with sold-out audiences. Cabaret will have a live orchestra accompany the production.

"There's very, very few recorded sounds at all,” Larmour said.

He added Theatre Woodstock was originally going to pick a different musical, but it didn’t work out. When the team, including musical director Chuck Baxter, had to pivot, Cabaret was the first one that came up and was unanimously chosen.

"It's really exciting. I think Theatre Woodstock and the rest of the Oxford County community as a whole is ready for what we're going to be bringing,” said Larmour.

Cabaret will run from Feb. 6 to 16. Tickets are $32 for adults, $20, for students, and $18 for youth 12 years old and under. Theatre Woodstock also has their Thrifty Thursday specials where all tickets are $20. Tickets can be purchased at the box office on 22 Reeve St., by phone at 519-537-2582 or by visiting https://theatrewoodstock.com.