Go Moulin Rouge!

Go Moulin Rouge

Photo: Contributed - Tymocha Breve

Vive le Moulin Rouge

Photo: Contributed - Derek Gratz

Logan Mullin, winner of the 2015 Black Cat trophy

Photo: Contributed - Derek Gratz

All decked out for the Black Cat Cabaret

Photo: Contributed - Derek Gratz

Black Cat Cabaret, with Dana Murphy

1 2 3 4

 

Go Moulin Rouge at the Annual Black Cat Cabaret 

Are you a fan of the film Moulin Rouge? Looking for something fun to do for your Valentine? 

If so, there is a shadowy evening of adventure that awaits you on February 5 and 6 at The Black Box Theatre, aptly named for New Vintage Theatre’s annual Black Cat Cabaret & 10 Minute Play Festival.

This event encourages patrons to dress up in saucy red or black cat garb, and enjoy an evening of sexy scenes, songs, silent auction, and 10 minute plays. The vibe is very vintage French Arts Quarter, and every year people enjoy the festive atmosphere in the packed house.  

The annual fundraiser is not just a great cabaret featuring the best of the best of Kelowna talent, it is also New Vintage Theatre’s Season Four launch - the first night audiences hear all about the upcoming season of plays. 

Such announcements always cause plenty of excitement in the arts community. The event is the company’s chance to preview the plays for patrons, as well as to fundraise for the upcoming season, with a sensational silent auction that features tickets, art, wine, and more. There are door prizes for everyone who dresses up.

My favourite part of the evening is the 10 Minute New Play Festival. This past summer, New Vintage put the call out to local playwrights to submit their best 10 Minute plays. 

From those entries, four selections were picked by a three-person judging committee.  Since December, each playwright has been assigned a director and cast, and are now in super-secret rehearsals preparing for The Black Cat. 

On the evening of the show audience members will vote for their favourite play. The votes will be tabulated on the second night, and the winner will receive $150 and a very kitschy-cool Black Cat Trophy.  

 Featured plays this year include ~

Doug Brown’s play Night Hawks is about beautiful showgirl who encounters her ex-lover, an ex-con, one night backstage, after a show.

Jeremy Beaulne’s Artemis is the tale of a socially awkward high school outcast who, one intriguing afternoon, ends up in the basement of the school with the high school goddess. 

Natasha Davis’ play Sweet Comic Valentine is set in the 1940’s. Chet Baker plays on the radio in a club where one beautiful angelic woman and one hitman meet for the first - and possibly last - time. 

Emily Friesen’s play Corporate Hell is a short and hilariously absurd comedy in which the boss really is the Devil.  

So, come out to the cabaret, old chum, and enjoy a pre-Valentine’s Day theatrical treat!

Starring ~

Bonnie Gratz, Ashley Plomp, Doug Brown, Dana Murphy, Adam Weaver, James Szabo, Gillianne Richards, Tamie Williams, Kaitlyn Anutooshkin, Vince Walczak, Brad Hull, Cory Armour, Peter MacLeod, Natasha Davis, Brock Gratz, Reid Gratz, Graham Daley, Kendra Hesketh, John Van Dyk and Tamara Ross. 

The Black Cat Cabaret
The Black Box Theatre
February 5 & 6 @ 7:30 p.m.

Advance Tickets: $25+ service charges, www.selectyourtickets.com
Door Tickets: $35 (cash only)
For more details: Check out www.newvintage.ca or call 778.214.1456

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.