Not only does Oregon
Cabaret Theatre offer an intimate theatre experience - with seating for 140
- with award winning casts but it also provides an opportunity to enjoy a
gourmet dining experience, offering a wide variety of appetizers, soups,
salads, entrees and desserts, all uniquely adapted to each production.
Ashland is located along Interstate 5, just
15 miles north of the California border at the south end of the Bear Creek
Valley. Air service would be into Medford, Oregon, a short 16 miles away.
Opening August 1, 1986 Oregon Cabaret Theatre represents a marvelously
quaint theatre now celebrating it’s 30th season. It has upped the ante on cultural events in
the already culturally savvy city of Ashland by offering both diverse and
big-name shows, while also offering an optional gourmet dining experience. Adding a 2014 Certificate of
Excellence Award to its list of accolades, the Cabaret enjoys 4.5 of 5 stars on both
Yelp and TripAdvisor.
The
Theatre
To enjoy the full experience of the Cabaret arrive at 6:30pm.
The architecture style and design of
the building have remained relatively the same since it’s construction in 1911
as First Baptist Church. In 1982 Craig
Hudson purchased the then boarded-up building and began the meticulous
renovation to restore the building to its 1911 splendor, including replication
of the stained glass windows. A major
focal point is the iconic chandelier salvaged from
a 1927 movie palace in Pennsylvania. Table
features include low light antique period red shade lamps. A main level seating on four tiered levels,
along with side boxes and balcony, can accommodate most seating preferences.
The
Menu
The Cabaret does not carry the label of a
‘dinner theatre’ because it is offered as an option with advance
reservations. Chef Frankenberger creates
menus specific to each show and features gourmet favorites, which include
Grilled Balsamic Ribeye Steak, Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Pan-seared Halibut,
Mediterranean Six Cheese Ravioli and a special of the day. Pair your dinner with a selection from their extensive list of local and regional
fine wines and beers. Reservations are
required for dinner or brunch but not for appetizers, desserts, or drinks. Food and drink orders are optional and are not
included in the price of the ticket but are paid for separately at the end of
the evening.
Your dessert order will
also be taken before the performance begins and will be served during
intermission. You will find it hard to
pass up the house dessert ‘Dick Hay Pie’.
This infamous dessert was originally the brainchild of co-founder Craig
Hudson to impress his friend Richard Hay at a dessert bake-off. Resembling an ice cream pie, it consisted of
an Oreo blend base, followed by several alternating layers of vanilla ice cream
and peanut butter, drizzled with hot fudge.
The portions are large so you may want to consider splitting one.
The
Performance
As part of their 30th
anniversary season, the Oregon Cabaret Theatre presented the award
winning “The Musical of Musicals (the Musical!)”.
You will laugh your
way through five shows in this comical satire of musical theatre. With a cast of 4 playing out 5 mini musicals,
each tells the story of a young damsel in distress who cannot pay the rent and
is threatened by the evil landlord. Will
the handsome young leading man come to her rescue? Each musical represents a very distinctive
style from a different master. First - Corn! only as Rogers and Hammerstein
might have imagined it. Next - A Little Complex in the style of
Sondheim. Then enjoy the Jerry Herman inspired
Dear Abby followed by the Andrew
Lloyd Webber take on Aspects of Junita. Finally the story will move to Chicago for
one last take in a cabaret style of Kander and Ebb.
The Production
“The Musical of
Musicals (the Musical!)” is
the creative musical genius of Erick Rockwell and lyrics by Joanne Bogart. This was the longest running show in the York Theatre Company’s 35-year history
before moving Off-Broadway. Some
language earned it a PG-13 rating but it contains no violence or nudity.
Artistic Director Valerie
Rochelle spent 18 years as a freelance director and choreographer in Southern
California and was a guest Director at the Cabaret
during the 2006 and 2012 seasons.
Valerie holds an MFA in Directing and a BFA in Acting from Southern
California but her true roots are Oregon.
Born and raised in Eugene, Valerie’s parents live in Portland and her husband’s
family resides in the State of Washington.
With the sudden and unexpected death of Jim Giancarlo in 2014, the door
was opened for Valerie Rachelle to step into the Cabaret shoes of Artistic Director, only the 2nd in the Cabaret’s history.
Evening performances
start promptly at 8:00pm with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 1:00pm. “The
Musical of Musicals (the Musical!)” runs
April 9–May 17 with “Cabaret” running May 28–August 30.
Any visit to Southern Oregon should
include a visit to Oregon Cabaret Theatre. You will find the Cabaret located in historic downtown Ashland on the corner of
S. 1st Street and Hargadine Street.
Contact the box office at 541-488-2902 and check out their website at www.oregoncabaret.com
No comments:
Post a Comment