Producer Annie Landenberger notes that “the cabaret, with deep roots in France and Germany in the late 19th through early 20th century, has historically been a trend-setting form of entertainment featuring a variety of performance styles that’s typically enjoyed from small café tables—which we’ll have.
“Cabarets are usually adult focused with a heavy dose of subversion.” Landenberger adds: “They’ve been a hotbed of creative energy for well over a century, offering out-of-the-box perspective and material. With a collection of scenes, songs, satire, and surprises—and in keeping with the essence of the cabaret—the RRP evening promises laughs, epiphanies, pleasures, and provocations.”
This year the RRP annual cabaret will be infused with the satirical spine of the No Kings movement, but “rest assured,” says Landenberger: “there’ll be lots of laughs and love.”
This year's Players’ cabaret features Kay Beckett, Jonathan Benney, Tino Benson, Peter Broussard, Walter Cramer, Shafiya Finger, Sean Fitzharris, Eden Gorst, Sue Kelly, Alex Lacey, Annie Landenberger, Randy Lichtenwalner, Jon Mack, Stewart McDermet, Cherie Moran, John Moran, Nick Morgan, John Ogorzalek, Jeff Seabaugh, Dawn Slade, T. Breeze Verdant, Rose Watson, and Rev. Yolanda. Dan DeWalt is accompanist. Jess Guerrero is on lights.
Among several acts on the program will be songs by a variety of composers including Tom Lehrer, Phil Ochs, Jonathan Larson, Craig Carnelia, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Bob Dylan, Stephen Schwartz, Kander and Ebb, and Howard Crabtree. There’ll be a short improvisation set, original satire, revived satires, "news" clips, and excerpts from Sinclair Lewis’ scathing novel, It Can’t Happen Here.
Special guest Rev. Yolanda, a Windham-based trans femme gender queer singer/songwriter/performance artist and interfaith minister, will perform “I Pledge Allegiance to Myself,” about the power of loving oneself completely.
Admission is $15; seating is at café tables, cabaret style. Various expertly-prepared home baked goods will be available by donation. Cabaret goers are invited to bring whatever beverages they wish. For reservations visit rockriverplayers.org and for more information email verbatimvt@gmail.com.
