The Nebraska Repertory Theatre continues its annual holiday tradition this December with “The Holiday Cabaret.” Enjoy holiday standards performed by past Rep performers and emerging artists.
Performances are Dec. 13-15 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. 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 directed by Nebraska Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Andy Park, and the music director is Vince Learned.
“I like to call it a naughty and nice musical revue,” Park said. “It’s full of holiday classics, but also some modern songs and comedy bits. It’s just a feel-good celebration of the holidays.”
Headlining the show is actress Kally Duling, who starred in “Fun Home” on Broadway, which won five 2015 Tonys, including best musical. She is originally from Lincoln and graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University and Lincoln East High School.
She has also appeared in “American Hero” at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, N.J., and “Next to Normal” at the Baltimore Center Stage, among others. Duling has also been seen in “The Good Wife” on CBS, “One Bad Choice” on MTV and “Indecision 2010” on Comedy Central.
“The opportunity to come home to join the Rep’s Holiday Cabaret couldn’t have come at a more perfect moment,” Duling said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the incredibly talented UNL students while spending a little extra time with my family this holiday season. It truly is ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ to surround yourself with music and family. I can’t wait to share some great holiday tunes with one of my favorite cities in the world.”
The audience will be able to enjoy holiday goodies and libations during the performance. There will also be a live band, a jazz trio featuring piano, bass and drums.
“Vince Learned is the music director,” Park said. “They sort of ground the show, and it’s just classy.”
The cast also includes seven students. Four are Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film performance majors: Karen Richards, Hannah Ramsgard, Elaine Stueve and Cullen Wiley . Three students are from the Glenn Korff School of Music: Matthew Carter, Abby Kurth and Ryan Savage.
“Matthew Carter has been nominated for the 2018 BroadwayWorld Omaha Awards in the category of Best Actor in a Musical for ‘Avenue Q,’ which is really cool,” Park said. [Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film student Aguel Lual has also been nominated for Best Actress in a Musical for “Avenue Q”. Online voting is available at https://go.unl.edu/2sd6 through Dec. 31.]
Park hopes audiences make “The Holiday Cabaret” part of their annual holiday traditions.
“There’s nothing better to get into the holiday spirit than coming to see the Rep’s ‘Holiday Cabaret,’” he said. “It’s fun. It’s light-hearted. And it’s just a great opportunity to come together with family and friends and have a great night out.”