The Ventura College Opera & Musical Theatre will be transformed into its biggest production ever when Cabaret dances onto the stage, with a sexy swagger and a prideful strut opening on March 31.

Directed by the accomplished Mel Swope, Cabaret is a glimpse into Berlin, Germany in 1929 at the Kit Kat Club, before World War I when tensions were running high. “Cabaret was a place for beautiful men and women, a place where you could relax and forget your troubles,” says Swope.

According to Producer Linda Ottsen, this production will be the largest ever held in the main theatre of Ventura College with a cast of over 60 singers, actors, dancers and musicians. Over 100 actors auditioned for the various roles within the production, when auditions began in October of this year and continued through mid-December. The first cast rehearsal began on Jan. 2 and the first scene-ordered rehearsal took place on the same night as the first press event on March 15. The cast is made entirely of students.

“Some of the older actors had to sign Independent Study forms to be officially cast for the production,” said Ottsen. The main cast includes: Master of Ceremonies, Christopher Fielder, Sally Bowles, Tamora Pellikka, Clifford Bradshaw, John Gaston, Ernst Ludwig, Dan Beale, Fraulein Kost, Nancy Aronson, Fraulein Schneider, Juanita Seavey, Herr Schultz, Dick Berman, Max, Shawn Chilton and Custom’s Officer, Vincent D’Andrea. The set design and production, which are extremely valuable, were both donated by the National Touring Company and included the original set used in the Broadway production.

Audiences can expect a show worthy of its extensive productionand rehearsing, which is currently ongoing. Cabaret, once completed and ready for its first showing, will run for two weekends, on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The March 30 showing will include a free preview for Ventura County college students. For more information call Linda Ottsen at (805) 653-0454.