Set in 1939, Cabaret, Lakeland’s spring musical, will take viewers on a love story between a woman who works at a nightclub in Berlin and an American writer who is visiting the city.

“People are in this world where they are pretending that Nazi Germany isn’t happening outside their door,” said Charlie Krebs, associate professor of theatre and speech.

In addition to the students and faculty participating in the musical, four high school students and a Lakeland alum are also involved.

“Every time a show starts to come together, you develop an inseparable bond with the people you perform with,” said Tia Pribbernow, senior general and choral music education major. “This bond has come together very quickly, and we are already developing the family feel of a show.”

For this musical, Lisa Golda, adjunct instructor of music, had the idea to have the actors and actresses learn their parts differently than done in the past. Instead of learning everything at once, it was broken into its parts. First they learned the music, then the dances and then they worked on the scenes.

“I have enjoyed the combination of acting, singing and dancing the most in this performance,” said Elizabeth Hahn, freshman psychology and sociology major. “It is never tedious and things do not happen how I would expect. I always have to be prepared and stay on my toes.”

Golda was also in charge of teaching the cast the songs.

“I’m so impressed with the level of vocal talent in this show,” said Golda. “I feel that, vocally, it’s cast almost perfectly.”

To accompany the songs, Chris Werner, assistant professor of music and director of bands, has been directing the pit orchestra. The instruments involved in this performance are the flute, clarinet, trombone, trumpet, saxophone, tuba, violin, piano, drum-set and synthesizer. This position is voluntary and includes music and non-music majors.

“Cabaret is a musical with lots of comedy and drama, and you won’t want to miss a single bit,” said Meribeth Mazzi, senior resort management major.

Cabaret  Cast  List

Kit Kat Girls
Ashlie Urban
Elizabeth Hahn
Elizabeth Plotka
Katherine Zielsdorf
Kristen Brusky

Sally Bowles – Meribeth Mazzi

Fraulein Kost – Brittany Beckmann

Kit Kat Matron – Tia Pribbernow

Cliff – Brandon Farmer

Fraulein Schneider – Heather Ross

Herr Schultz – David Neese

Herr Ludwig – Zach Petrowsky

Gestapo Officer – Lucas Collard

Nazi Soldiers
Aaron Almedina
Deion Sonsalla
Tanner Moenning
Chad Matha
John Horst
Brett Gibbons
AJ Veloz

Emcee – Jake Caceres

Assistant Director – Tia Pribbernow

Stage Manager – Mayce Bacon

Choreographer – Jessica Mueller

Vocal Director – Lisa Golde

Pit Director – Chris Werner

Costume Designer – Della Jahnke