The other interesting thing about this show, from my perspective, is the space itself. The Stackner Cabaret is a fully operating bar and restaurant, and patrons of ALL shows at The Rep can have dinner before (or after) their show. It’s intimate (seats about 120) and instead of theatre seats, there are tables and chairs like a restaurant. The shows in the Cabaret are certainly geared toward a drinking and “pure entertainment oriented” audience. Of the 4 shows in that space this season, Abridged is the only play that ISN”T a small intimate musical. The two person show, ALWAYS, PATSY CLINE will be following ABRIDGED in a couple months-time.
This pic shows the SCOPE of the space pretty well... it ain't an easy space to work in, but it has really strong audience-to-stage energy.
... and with patrons....
Its interesting to see how Mark Clements, the relatively new Artistic Director at the Rep, put together a season that both fits the spaces they have, mindful of the types of shows that audiences will enjoy and come see for entertainment sake, while also finding shows that challenge his audience and excite them about theatre. They did a play called TEN CHIMNEYS earlier this season, which is based on an actual estate not even 30 minutes from the theatre. They also did LOMBARDI, the recent Broadway success based on the life of the quintessential Packers coach. These shows obviously played into the self-referential identity of the community. But then he’s throwing in NEXT TO NORMAL, a difficult and timely modern rock-style musical about the struggles of a family dealing with Bi-Polar disorder. If the audience I saw at that show was any indication, Mr. Clements has caught his audience’s attention, and is engaging them in fun and smart ways. I’ll be curious to see what next season brings at the Rep… its’ not every year there happen to be two new exciting works (of national prominence) that have such local-centric resonance.
And here’s hoping that they hire me back….. ;-)
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