The musical, originally staged in 1966, was successfully revived on Broadway in 1987 and 1999. The three productions earned a combined 16 Tony Awards. In 1972, a film adaptation starring Liza Minnelli won eight Academy Awards.
The score, written by John Kander and Fred Ebb, includes the memorable songs, "Maybe This Time," "Mein Herr," "Money," and the title song.
Chelsea McLeish of North Arlington, 18, is Sally Bowles, the headlining performer at the seedy Kit Kat Klub. She has been seen in productions of Les Miserables and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at McKenzie Music Studio of Rochelle Park.
Pash Antonelli of Wayne, 31, is Clifford Bradshaw, Sally’s love interest. Cabaret is Antonelli’s first production in Bergen County. He has been in more than 15 musicals in Passaic and Morris counties.
Brendan Joel Bartlett stars as the Emcee of the Kit Kat Klub, who also serves at the story’s narrator. Bartlett has been seen at the venue as Riff Raff in 2005’s The Rocky Horror Show, 2006’s Schoolhouse Rock Live, and last year as Orin in Little Shop of Horrors. He was last seen in a production of Cabaret at Montville’s Barn Theater.
Cabaret stars many other cast members that have previously been on stage at the Hackensack Cultural Arts Center. Candice Gibson (Texas) and Neil Kahn (Herr Shultz) were previously seen in June’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Alannah Rae (Helga) was in May’s production of Nunsense. Priscila (Rosie) was in 2006’s Schoolhouse Rock Live, and Sarah Savoye (Lulu) was in the 2004’s Seussical: The Musical.
For many in the cast, staging Cabaret is a dream come true. Bartlett auditioned for his role with five different theater companies before being cast by the Hackensack Theatre Company.
"To finally be putting on the Emcee’s makeup after all these years and missed opportunities feels like a thousand champagne corks bursting at once," he said.
