The Cabaret pops champagne on new home with full season of celebrations

February 13, 2018 (Indianapolis, IN) – The Cabaret’s grand opening season of engaging, intimate performances kicks off at the historic Metzger Building in the heart of the evolving Library Square on April 21. The 2018 Spring/Summer season will feature three Tony Award winners, including an iconic Broadway legend, a trio of divas from across the pond, a duo of musical misfits…and undie-rockers. This season at The Cabaret, every performance is a grand opening and will celebrate all things cabaret with unique experiences,
champagne toasts, and red carpet rollouts.

“We are thrilled that our gorgeous new home, where every aspect has been designed first and foremost for presenting cabaret shows, will allow us to finally do cabaret ‘our way,’” says Artistic Director and CEO Shannon Forsell. “This season, we are pushing the envelope and presenting different styles of cabaret, more so than we have done before, with undie-rockers The Skivvies and punk-showbiz band Nancy And Beth. We are proud to not only expand the styles of cabaret that we present but also that this season is almost entirely made up of talented, powerful women who have been and continue to take the cabaret world by storm. As an organization that is run by women, The Cabaret is honored to present and work with these incredible performers.”

GRAND OPENING SEASON KICK OFF! The Puppini Sisters will sashay from all the way across the pond to kick-off the grand opening season in our new home on April 21 and 22. In the ten years since they began, many have followed this UK-based vocal trio’s trailblazing lead, whether it is their close harmonies, the swingstyle re-workings of standards and modern pop songs, or their impeccable retro-futuristic fashion sense. With six albums under their waist-cinching belts, the Puppini Sisters are regarded as the world’s leading close-harmony group. They have been awarded both Gold and Multi-Platinum Discs, have collaborated with Michael Bublé, and have appeared on some of the world’s most prestigious stages. Join in the fun by donning your favorite vintage garb for a night of celebration and retro-revelry. Prizes will be bestowed for best retro accoutrements.

ONE NIGHT ONLY! Led by Megan Mullally and Stephanie Hunt, Nancy And Beth is the most magnificent duo to ever lay lung to a blues chord. Together with their gypsy band of mystics, jazz pastors and Austin, Texas wild west tea-heads, these unusual ladies will gamely endeavor to meet – and even exceed – your entertainment quota via harmonies in song, spoken pleasantries and hypnotic dancing (all songs are choreographed by Mullally, who studied at the School of American Ballet and has performed in Broadway
musicals). Nancy And Beth has been touring in support of the band’s self-titled debut LP, including Newport Folk Festival, Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival and the Grand Ole Opry. A second album is on the way, and three kickass music videos at your disposal at nancyandbeth.com. Nancy And Beth will be in Indianapolis for one night only as part of a tour that includes only a handful of cities.

Join us for an intimate evening with Tony and Grammy Award winning Broadway icon, Jennifer Holliday on June 1 and 2. Her show stopping, heart-wrenching performance of “And I Am Telling You, I’m Not Going” in the original production of Dreamgirls is considered one of the all-time best performances in a Broadway musical. She recently returned to Broadway in the role of sexy cabaret singer Shug Avery in the Tony-winning revival of The Color Purple. Other Broadway credits include Your Arms Too Short to Box with God and Chicago. With two Grammy Awards, nine studio albums, and five Top 10 singles on the R&B and Dance Charts to her credit,
Jennifer will dazzle with her powerhouse vocals in an electrifying evening of Broadway, jazz standards, originals, and soulful pop. She has been proclaimed a Broadway legend by critics and fans alike, and you, and you…you’re gonna love her.

In honor of Cole Porter’s birthday, Shannon Forsell, the Artistic Director of The Cabaret, will bring together some of the best performers in Indianapolis for an evening celebrating the man synonymous with the American Songbook and the Broadway musical. One June 9, performers will sing some of their favorites, along with lesser-known gems. Surveys will determine what top five Porter tunes should be included in the show. In true Porter fashion, the festivities will continue after the music ends with champagne and birthday cake. Tony Award winner Rachel Bay Jones (Dear Evan Hansen) takes audiences on a journey with the woman underneath ‘Heidi Hansen.’ In her brand new solo show, Jones explores stories of love, motherhood, theatre, and life, and shares with us her gift of bringing songs new meaning. Rachel Bay Jones won her first Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Heidi Hansen in the Broadway phenomenon Dear Evan Hansen. Jones will bring her brand new solo show to Indianapolis on June 15 and 16.

ONE NIGHT ONLY! Touted by The Wall Street Journal as “smart, sophisticated…ingenious,” the awardwinning Broadway duo Lauren Molina and Nick Cearley, known as The Skivvies, bring their acclaimed “undierock” musical comedy show to Indy on July 14. Their clever musical arrangements include distinctive pop mashups, show tunes, and eccentric originals for cello and ukulele, with touches of glockenspiel, and melodica – all with a minimalist dress code to reflect their “stripped-down” musical style. They will be joined by special guest Broadway’s Nick Adams (La Cage Aux Folles, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert). A wildly fun evening, packed with big voices, crazy harmonies, surprises…but no pants. This performance contains adult content.

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! In this intimate evening, Tony Award winning actress Laura Benanti will perform songs from her celebrated career and share humorous anecdotes and experiences she has had both on and off the stage and screen on July 27 and 28. She received a Tony Award for her role as Gypsy Rose in Gypsy with Patti LuPone and starred in Meteor Shower with Amy Schumer, Keegan-Michael Key, and Jeremy Shamos. Known internationally for her roles on television shows such as The Detour, Supergirl, Nashville, and Nurse Jackie, Laura brings her consummate performance style to its pinnacle in her intimate, one-on-one cabaret show.

The Cabaret has reimagined and expanded its discount ticket program for young patrons. Members of SophistiTIX (Ages 21-35), previously known as The Lounge, receive 25% off per ticket. Membership to SophistiTIX is free. To join, call The Cabaret at 317-275-1169 or sign up online at www.thecabaret.org. Students (with valid student ID) can now purchase tickets for $25. Student tickets must be purchased by calling the box office. Single ticket sales begin March 15, 2018 at 10AM. For more information, including performance videos of all the performers, visit www.thecabaret.org or call 317-275-1169.
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