The Nebraska Repertory Theatre begins a new holiday tradition this December with “The Holiday Cabaret.” Enjoy holiday standards performed by past Rep performers, emerging artists and our special guests and Chicago’s premiere, sweet-singing female trio, The Lakeshore Dolls.
Performances are Dec. 13-16 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. in the Studio Theatre in the Temple Building. For tickets, contact the Lied Center Box Office at (402) 472-4747 or online at http://www.nebraskarep.org. The show is conceived and directed by Nebraska Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Andy Park.
“One of the things I’m really excited about this cabaret is that it’s actually a really traditional style of cabaret performance,” Park said. “You get comedy, and you get old-fashioned holiday songs and musical styles. People will get a real sort of throwback holiday cabaret experience. There’s just something about this that just feels right for the holidays. It’s like going home to visit with family and friends. It’s warm, and I think it’s going to be a lot of fun for the audience.”
The audience will also be able to enjoy holiday goodies and libations during the performance. There will also be a live band, musically directed by Vince Learned.
“It will be a very typical cabaret-style band with piano, bass and drums,” Park said. “We’ve invested in the band because we want it to be just extraordinary.”
The show will also feature The Lakeshore Dolls, an acapella trio from Chicago whose aesthetic is reminiscent of The Andrews Sisters, who sing music ranging from the 1940s standards to pop hits of today.
“These performers are so tight vocally,” Park said. “They’ve been performing for years. They perform all over the place, and they’re very much in the tradition of The Andrews Sisters. In fact, they’ll do a couple of Andrews Sisters songs, I’m sure.”
The total cast includes 14 people.
“Many of them are some of the top students here in the program,” Park said. “And then we also have a couple of guests, like Dr. Bill Grange, who will be making an appearance. One of the songs he will be singing is ‘You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.’ It’s going to be fun.”
Park will also be performing in The Holiday Cabaret.
“I’m a ventriloquist so I’m going to bring my puppet with me to perform, which will be fun,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a good show.”
There are other surprises in the works as well for the performance, as Park creates what he hopes will be a new holiday tradition for Lincoln.
“The hope is that this is a new holiday tradition, and we’ll mix it up a little bit every year, “Park said. “Hopefully this will be something that the families will realize is here every year and will make it part of their holiday traditions.”