Cornell theatre kicks off season with raucous cabaret

The Cornell College Department of Theatre opens its season Sept. 30 with “Hurts So Good: The Feel-Good Cabaret of Torture and Pain.”  

Featuring a cast of 12 Cornell students, this cabaret-style performance features musical hits, show-stopping dance numbers, scenes, and monologues from Broadway’s classic and contemporary blockbusters, mixed with contemporary rock and pop tunes.  The result is an evening of entertainment with heart-wrenching ballads and pain-filled duets.

With intimate seating at cocktail tables in the Plumb-Fleming Black Box Theatre, audiences will delight in an evening of entertainment that includes “Cell Block Tango” from “Chicago,” and “Coffee Break” from “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” as well as a mashup of Culture Club’s “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me,” and  R.E.M.’s  “Everybody Hurts.”

The choreography by Cornell’s new Dance Artist in Residence, Alvon Reed will bring an edge to this evening of music and performance. Adding to the energy of opening night, audiences are invited to stay for a post-show reception hosted by Cornell’s Bon Appétit food service on Friday, Sept. 30.

Guest director Patrick DuLaney brings with him acting and directing credits from throughout the Midwest, including work with the Chicago-based company The Hypocrites. Reed brings his vast international and national experience, including his work with Bill T. Jones on the Broadway workshop “Superfly! The Musical.”

“Hurts So Good: The Feel-Good Cabaret of Torture and Pain” runs one weekend only, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 2 at 2 p.m. in The Plumb-Flemming Black Box Theatre on the Cornell College campus. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, students, and youth, and free for Cornell faculty, staff, and students with ID. Tickets can be reserved by calling 319.895.4293 or e-mailing boxoffice@cornellcollege.edu. This production is intended for mature audiences.

The Plumb-Flemming Black Box Theatre is accessible through the front doors of Armstrong Hall. Parking is available in the lot behind and to the south of the theater at the corner of College Blvd. and Summit Ave.