Ocean City Theatre Company (OCTC) will present the legendary Broadway musical “Cabaret” on Nov. 7 and 8 at the Ocean City Music Pier, featuring a talented cast of local high school performers in grades 9–12.
For this special production, the Music Pier will take on a new atmosphere. The traditional general seating area will be transformed with cabaret-style seating, inviting audiences into the world of Berlin’s Kit Kat Klub and creating an immersive setting for one of musical theatre’s most powerful and thought-provoking works.
Set in Berlin as the 1920s give way to the 1930s, “Cabaret” follows the lives of performers, artists and everyday people navigating a society undergoing dramatic political and social change. While the musical is known for memorable songs, dynamic characters and theatrical spectacle, its deeper themes explore prejudice, antisemitism, intolerance, political extremism, personal responsibility and the consequences of remaining silent as freedoms and human dignity are threatened.
For OCTC, presenting “Cabaret” with high school students provides an important educational opportunity that extends far beyond learning music, choreography and staging. Through the rehearsal process, students are encouraged to examine the historical context of the story and consider how theatre can help audiences confront difficult moments in history.
“‘Cabaret’ is an extraordinary piece of theatre because it entertains while also challenging us to think,” said OCTC Artistic Director Michael Hartman. “For our students, this production is an opportunity to develop as performers and as humans.”
The production continues OCTC’s commitment to providing young performers with challenging theatrical experiences that build confidence, encourage collaboration and demonstrate the power of the performing arts to educate as well as entertain.
Performances of “Cabaret” will take place Saturday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier, located on the Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace in Ocean City.
Tickets are $15 and are available through OceanCityTheatreCompany.com.
With music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and a book by Joe Masteroff, “Cabaret” is based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood. “Cabaret” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC.
Content Advisory: “Cabaret” explores mature historical and social themes and contains suggestive material, strong language, antisemitism, and depictions of prejudice and political extremism associated with the rise of Nazi Germany. Parents and guardians are encouraged to consider the production’s content when determining its suitability for younger audience members.
