The Grand Theatre is pleased to bring to the McManus Stage a daring and immersive experience, CABARET. Considered one of the greatest musicals of all time, the Grand Theatre’s Artistic Director and Director of CABARET Dennis Garnhum gives this production a whole new life in 2019. CABARET will draw audiences in with its gritty, stripped-down, intimate setting that will extend from the McManus lobby and bar to the stage. CABARET, which was extended twice for additional performances due to popular demand, will run from April 9 to May 11. The Title Sponsor is BRON Studios, in tribute to Gloria and Joseph Gilbert.

“I’ve always wanted to direct something in the McManus Theatre that would show off how versatile it is,” said Garnhum. “When Cabaret was suggested, I immediately realized how perfect it would be to transform this stage into an underground club, in the spirit of a real entertainment house—a cabaret—where anything goes.”

Everything about this production has been imagined anew: patrons will journey through the backstage area, with the opportunity to experience a bar that contains echoes of the past as well as signs of the present. CABARET brings together 9 multi-skilled cast members and features Tess Benger (THE PENELOPIAD, Grand Theatre) as Sally Bowles and James Daly in his acting debut at the Grand (GRAND HOTEL, Shaw Festival Theatre) as Cliff Bradshaw, a writer traveling through Berlin.

“These multitalented performers—who will be up close—are all part of the celebration of this incredible space,” said Garnhum. “These gifted artists not only sing, dance, and act, but they are also the orchestra, playing all of the instruments in the show."

BRON Studios, the Title Sponsor of CABARET, has unique ties to the London community. Aaron Gilbert, one of the co-founders of BRON Studios, is not only a London native but a lifelong family friend of Garnhum. When CABARET was announced as part of the 2018-19 season, Garnhum asked if Gilbert would consider honouring his parents, Gloria and Joseph, for their passion for London, for the theatre and for their ongoing support of the Jewish community in London by sponsoring CABARET in their honour.

The Gilbert Family’s roots to London, to the Grand Theatre, and to CABARET run deep. When the Grand Theatre first presented CABARET twenty years ago, the Gilberts housed one of the actors from that production. Large supporters of the arts, it was important to the Gilbert’s that their three children – Zvi, Shira, and Aaron– were exposed music, opera, and the theatre. Today, all three of their children have pursued careers focussed in various aspects of the creative arts industry.

ENHANCE YOUR EXPERIENCE

The Wednesday Speak Easy

Following each Wednesday evening performance, patrons are invited to extend their theatre experience and get closer to the artists with exclusive talks, casual conversations, and spontaneous happenings in the relaxed atmosphere of the Poster Lounge.

Wednesday Speak Easy: April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 8.

GRAND THEATRE PRESENTS

CABARET

A DARING AND IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE IN THE MCMANUS

Book by Joe Masteroff
Based on the Play by John Van Druten
And Stories by Christopher Isherwood
Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Directed by Dennis Garnhum

ON THE MCMANUS STAGE APRIL 9 TO MAY 11, 2019

Tickets are general admission at $60 and are available at grandtheatre.com, by phone at 519-672-8800, or at the Box Office, 471 Richmond Street. Prices include HST and are subject to change.