Madison College Performing Arts will do two productions in the 2024-25 season.
The season will kick off with Gina Femia’s play “For the Love of (Or the Roller Derby Play)” in the Studio Theater, Truax Campus, October 18-27.
“For The Love Of” will be directed by Erica Berman and centers women on an east coast roller derby team. Berman is an accomplished playwright and serves as director of education and community engagement for Children’s Theater of Madison.
When Joy joins the Brooklyn Scallywags and meets the star, Lizzie Lightning, she and her long-term partner Michelle find their lives turned upside down. The play asks how much you’re willing to sacrifice — or lose — in order to follow your heart.
The play features a diverse cast of nine female-identifying characters. Two local roller derby players will serve as consultants to the production.
The spring production will be “Cabaret,” (1998 version), with book by Joe Masteroff, based on the play by John Van Druten, stories by Christopher Isherwood and music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb.
“Cabaret” will be directed by Meghan Randolph, artistic director and founder of Music Theatre of Madison. Music direction will be led by local choir director and musician Brandon Reda.
“Cabaret” explores the dark, heady and tumultuous lives of Berlin’s natives and expatriates as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich.
Cliff, a young American writer, is immediately taken with English singer Sally Bowles. The storytelling is often led by a sexy, sharp-tongued emcee, who has been played by actors such as Joel Grey and Alan Cumming.
The musical features well-known numbers such as the title song, “Wilkommen,” “Maybe This Time,” and “The Money Song,” among others. “Cabaret” has had several successful runs on Broadway, with one currently underway.
“Cabaret” will be performed in the Mitby Theater, Truax Campus, March 7-15, 2025.
Madison College Performing Arts is excited to share these productions with the community!