By David Thompson
With the return of summer comes a new run of Creative Cauldron’s cabaret series at ArtSpace Falls Church.
“This is the fourth year that we have offered cabarets featuring some of D.C.’s most talented musical theater performers,” said Creative Cauldron Producing Director Laura Connors Hull. “Audiences are in for a real treat because these singers are all fabulous.”
Cabaret, as a type of entertainment, is defined by its venue more than anything else. It usually takes place in a restaurant or nightclub that provides short programs of entertainment, and historically this entertainment has been tailored to adult audiences.
“Most of the cabarets are recommended for teens and adults,” Hull said, “but we do have one family-friendly cabaret.”
The family friendly Cabaret, “Lauren’s Family Jamboree,” will see Helen Hayes Award-winning actress and singer Lauren Williams performing an evening of classic songs from Disney features. That cabaret will be held on Aug. 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. There will be a special discount for children under the age of 12.
While the Creative Cauldron venue at ArtSpace is not the typical home of a cabaret performance, the space has been transformed to match the entertainment.
“We do set up the theater like a traditional cabaret with tables for two and four on the floor,” Hull said.
Tickets for a table for four comes with a bottle of wine; for a table for two, two glasses of wine. Food will not be served, but an array of light snacks will be offered.
The opening production of the series, “Sondheim and Conner,” runs July 11 and 12 at 8 p.m. These nights of cabaret will star Mary Payne Omohundro, Michael Sharp, Karissa Swanigan-Upchurch, and Barbara Lawson.
Producing the cabaret series is Creative Cauldrons regular Matt Conner. Most recently he directed Creative Cauldrons rendition of “SHOUT! The Mod Musical.” As producer for the cabaret series, Conner has encouraged performers to craft an evening of songs based on their own interests and vision.
The “Sondheim and Conner” cabaret, as the name implies, will be a synergy between the works of Stephen Sondheim and Matt Conner.
Stephen Sondheim is a legendary Broadway musical theater composer best known for “Sweeney Todd,” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” and “Company.”
Matt Conner is a critically acclaimed local composer who has had work performed at the Signature Theatre as well as Creative Cauldron.
The performers will find something between the styles of these two men and bring it to life with their own vision and style.
Other cabarets featured this season are “What a Marvelous Party with Noel and Cole” with Amy Conley and Barbara Papendorp on July 18 and 19 at 8 p.m.; a performance by Three for a Song on July 26 at 8 p.m.; “Ca Bro ret” with Stephen Gregory Smith and Chris Sizemore on Aug. 15 and 16 at 8 p.m.; and “Perfect Storm” with Sherri Edelen Simpson, Rachel Zampelli and Felicia Curry on Aug. 22 and 23 at 8 p.m.
ArtSpace Falls Church is located at 410 S. Maple Ave. Cabaret tickets are $20 for general admission and $18 for students and seniors. For more information, visit creativecauldron.org or call 703-436-9948.