I think it is safe to say that since the Côte Saint-Luc Dramatic Society first started in 2011 they have never quite presented a show quite like Cabaret.

Presentations of Kander and Ebb’s iconic musical continue at the Harold Greenspon Auditorium until June 16, 2019. I was among those on hand for opening night and one could not help but be thoroughly impressed by Director Anisa Cameron and her crew.

One of the great musicals of a generation, Cabaret leads us between the worlds of the notorious nightlife and political turmoil of Berlin in 1931. An important and iconic piece of musical theatre, with book by Joe Masteroff, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, Cabaret invites audiences to witness the decadence and decay of a place teetering on the brink of catastrophe. 

Craig Dalley as the Emcee. (Ian Cameron Photo)

“Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome…” With this friendly yet eerie salutation, the brilliant Craig Dalley  greets in the audience in the role of Emcee and leads us through the story of American Cliff Bradshaw (Calder Levine) and his brief but indelible affair with British Berlin cabaret darling, Sally Bowles (Jeanne Motulsky, who played Penny in Hairspray).

On why she felt strongly the CSLDS should produce Cabaret at this moment, Cameron said: “Cabaret stands as a staggering, sumptuous, scintillating and stark lesson in the dangers of complacency, denial and willful ignorance in the face of unbridled nationalism and the rise of a fascist tide.  In the political climate that we find ourselves facing today, I felt strongly compelled to produce this show.”

Mayor Mitchell Brownstein, who co-produced the show with Councillor Mitch Kujavsky, added:  “From its inception, I was always intrigued by Cabaret. Its musical numbers sparked my first interest in musical theatre, while its story taught me so much. This is why we will be bringing musical numbers from the show to the seniors homes in Côte Saint-Luc and through a partnership with the Montreal Holocaust Museum, we will  educate our high school and CEGEP students with special shows and talk backs discussions in the presence of Holocaust survivors.” 

Kujavsky said he was unfamiliar with Cabaret prior to this production.  “The depth of the show’s message is powerful and will resonate very strongly in our community,” he said.

Jordana Dobski, Kujavsky’s wife, is a past CLDS performer. She stepped in to the role of production manager for this show.

A scene from the show. (Ian Cameron photo)

Cabaret takes place from 1929-1930, a time when Berlin, in the midst of a post-World War I economic depression, is transitioning from a center of underground, avant-garde cultural epicenter to the beginnings of Hitler’s totalitarian regime and the rise of the Nazi Party. Into this world enters Bradshaw, a struggling American writer looking for inspiration for his next novel. On his first night in Berlin,  he wanders into the Kit Kat Klub, a seedy nightclub overseen by the strange, omniscient and gender-bending Master of Ceremonies, “the Emcee.” Here, Cliff meets Sally Bowles, a vivacious, talented cabaret performer, and an utterly lost soul. Sally and Cliff begin a relationship, which blossoms unexpectedly into a dream-like romance.

As time passes, however, the situation in Berlin changes from exciting and vital to ominous and violent; Ernst (Edward Le Vasseur), Cliff’s first German friend, turns out to be an up-and-coming member of the Nazi Party, and Herr Schultz (wonderfully portrayed by Johnny Kovac), a fellow boarder at Fraulein Schneider’s  (Linda Babins) guest house (and Schneider’s fiancee), is the victim of an anti-Semitic hate crime.

When he finds out that Sally is pregnant, Cliff decides that they must leave for America at once, before things get any worse. Sally, afraid, confused, and unsure that she’ll ever really be able to trade the sexy, illicit cabaret lifestyle for motherhood, gets an abortion, and tells Cliff that he must leave without her. Fraulein Kost, nemesis to Fraulein Schneider , is portrayed by  CSLDS newcomer and McGill Jazz vocalist, Maria Jimenez. She also  plays double duty as Lulu in the Kit Kat Klub as well. The Kit Kat Girls are: Genevieve Pertugia (Rosie); Marina Mendoza (Frenchie), who arrived via  Cirque Eloize; Concordia Theatre Performance student Gabrielle Banville (Texas); McGill Jazz Vocal student Isabelle Rachiele (Fritzie); Ari Sterlin (Helga), veteran CSLDS performer, choreographer, writer and director; Nicole Arrage (Zelda)  and Kaylah Langburt (Totsie ). The Kit Kat boys include: TY Jung (Bobby); CSLDS Veteran Natasha Lilliman (Victor), Jonah Zoldan (Hans/Rudy) (Joseph…) and Ryan Kligman (Herman), who doubles as Assistant Director. Rounding out this ensemble are: Shaun Nishmas as Kit Kat Klub owner, Max, and young rising star of stage and screen, 8 year old Ryan Hill as the voice of the young boy who sings “Tomorrow Belongs to Me”.

The Musical Director Benjamin Kwong witgh Alexia Gourd back as   choreographer,  assisted by  Sterlin.  Continuing the list, there is design by Sabrina Miller, Costume Design by Elyse Malo and  Lighting Design by Babins . Technical Director is Scott Drysdale, with Samantha Stermer  as stage manager. And a well deserved shout out to Ryan Nemeroff from the Parks and Recreation Department who serves an invaluable liaison for  the CLDS.

Tickets for the run range in price from $28 to $45 (for exclusive Cabaret style seating that includes a beverage and refreshment.  All tickets are available at The Eleanor London Public Library, The CSL Aquatic and Community Center, and online at CSLDramaticSociety.com, and can also be purchased at the door one hour before show time.

Opening night included a special VIP Gala Fundraiser, with a dinatoire and entertainment before the show.

Warning: Cabaret includes scenes of overt sexualityand some violence. Due to the time and location Cabaret takes place in, there will be imagery used which is associated with the rise of and atrocities committed by the Nazi party.

You can also see Glenn J. Nashen's review.

The Côte Saint-Luc Dramatic Society  has indeed made a mark for itself in our community over the past seven years.

Their latest musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, kicked off on May 30 with the first ever gala at City Hall.

A scene from the show featuring Nicole Arrage and Sam Boucher.

More than 100 special guests attended a cocktail dinatoire, catered and sponsored by Blossom by the Plaza, with music and special performances  from previous productions. 

Everyone then headed down to the Harold Greenspon Auditorium for a preview performance of Joseph, which brought the house down. It now runs until June 17. Some $40,000 in gala tickets and sponsorship came in, valuable dollars to support musical theatre in our community and to allow students, senior residences and people with disabilities to see the show.

More action on the stage.

First off, a huge congratulations to Mayor Mitchell Brownstein and Councillor Mitch Kujavsky who served as co-producers and to the oh so incredibly talented artistic director Anisa Cameron for all of the hard work they did in the months leading up to the show. Musical Director Nick Burgess, Choreographer Alexia Gourd and the rest of the technical and creative crews did their usual knockoff jobs. The large cast  ranges in age from eight to 80.

 Andrew Lloyd Webber’s  Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is an adaptation of the biblical story. The classic story is reimagined onstage as a rock musical, featuring iconic songs including “Any Dream Will Do” and “Close Every Door.”

The mayor and all eight councillors were present.

¨Performing the title role is Sam Boucher, a young up-and-comer in the Montreal theatre scene who currently studies theatre performance at Concordia. A CSLDS veteran, Sam has performed with the troupe since the age of 16, and was more recently seen as Rocky in Mainline Theatre’s production of The Rocky Horror Show.  Due to a back problem he had to split the role in an interesting kind of way on gala night with Assistant Director Ryan Kligman. In some scenes Boucher  sat on the side  and sang while Kligman acted out the parts. Steve Korolnek, cast as Jacob, could not be there for night one either due to the death of his mother. Mayor Brownstein, already in the role of Potiphar, stepped in to play Jacob as well.Nicole Arrage (Little Shop of Horrors) and Jeanne Motulsky (Hairspray and The Producers), portrayed the show’s narrators.

Here is a look at Sam Boucher's talent

This show has such great music and dancing, many people will want to see it more than once.“I am so proud of the award winning company we’ve built over the past seven years,” said  Cameron. “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat offers us an opportunity to produce a show that will embody the spirit of community theatre, while challenging our team to continue to produce excellent, artistically rich and fulfilling work. I am also thrilled that this cast will be our largest since The Producers, and that, for the first time, we will have children in our musical production.”

"I am thrilled that we will be presenting this biblical story and supporting education in our community,” said Mayor Brownstein. “Youth are the future of our community and telling this story at schools while including children in our cast is part of our mission of bringing the joy of theatre to people of all ages.”

The Côte Saint-Luc Dramatic Society is a community theatre initiative that began in the summer of 2011 in partnership with the City of Côte Saint-Luc. The goal of the society is to bring together actors, writers, musicians and other artistically minded community members to produce theatrical works in an inclusive environment where emphasis is placed on team work and camaraderie, not celebrity. 

Other members of the creative and production team are Stage Manager Emma Loerick,

Assistant Director Kligman,. ASM Samantha Stermer, Costume Designer Elyse Malo, Lighting Designe  Linda Babins, Props/Set Designer Rachel Germinario and Technical Director Scott Drysdale. The remaing cast members are Marc Ducusin,   Karyn Pellatt-Caron, Craig Dalley, Edward Cohen, Justin Johnson, Eli Rubineau, Shaun Nishmas, Sam Melnick, Jonah Zoldan, Kenny Stein, Helen Gwiazda, Liz Lopez, Janet Garmaise, Ari Sterlin, Madison Bernard, Rachel Merovitz, Natasha Lilliman, Danna Nishmas, Jordana Kujavsky, Elyse Wolman, Hannah Sheffren, Cheryl Everett Rajchgot, Adena Lemieux, Toby Clark, Judy Kenigsberg, Ellen Rabin, Bev Silverman, Norm Spatz, Mackenzie Caron, Rachel Chemtob-Stadtlander, Pailey Vas, Naomi Vas , Abigail Schipper, Victoria Salama and Molly Socran.

Bravo to Ryan Nemeroff from Parks and Recreation, who works with other staff to make all of this happen.

Tickets are available online at CSLDramaticSociety.com, or in person at the Eleanor London Côte Saint-Luc Public Library or the Aquatic and Community Centre. General admission is $32, with $28 tickets available for students and seniors.

While our Côte Saint-Luc Dramatic Society prepares for its upcoming production of the hit musical hairspray, today came some exceptional news for the mere three year old entity.  The Segal Centre for the Arts announced its 2015-2016 series of productions and when the Mel Brooks smash hit The Producers hits the stage on June 19,2016 the Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre has chosen the CSL Dramatic Society to partner up in this all Yiddish presentation, with Anisa Cameron in the director's chair.

You can read all of the details here in my complete preview of next year's Segal Centre schedule.

Lisa Rubin, Anisa Cameron, Aron Gonshor, Anthony Housefather, Mitchell Brownstein and myself at the announcement.

The Côte Saint-Luc Dramatic Society  has another hits on its hands. I attended the special VIP viewing of their hilarious whodunit, Haven’t Got A Clue, which continues February 12 to 15, at the Harold Greenspon Auditorium ( 5801 Cavendish Blvd).

Artistic Director, Anisa Cameron, has assembled a stellar cast of 25 professional and community actors who are brining the play to life. “I think people will really enjoy Haven’t Got A Clue,” Cameron said. “It’s so funny and our cast is so spectacular, it’s going to be a memorable time at the theatre for all. I am particularly excited to see how the audience participation in determining the end plays out. It seems like such a fun way to enhance the performer/audience relationship.”

The audience is asked to decide the fate of the show at each performance, choosing from three different endings. That was a lot of fun.

Haven’t Got a Clue is a murder mystery that takes place at Covington Manor in Connecticut in 1954. McCarthyism is at its height and the country is terrified of Communism and the threat of nuclear war. Theodore Covington, a well-known war profiteer, has died under mysterious circumstances and a whole host of shady characters with motives galore have shown up at the manor to hear the reading of Theodore’s will just as Tropical Storm Francine has been upgraded to a full-blown hurricane. The guests must batten down the hatches with a murderer in the midst. As suspects emerge and victims begin to drop like flies, it’s up to the audience to determine the outcome of this fast-paced, hilarious whodunit.

Dan Harroch

“Murder is most definitely a laughing matter in this treacherous tale that weaves double-crossing, revenge, crimes of passion, dark secrets and government conspiracy into a fast-paced, laugh out loud, irreverent take on the murder mystery genre,” Cameron said.

Riva Rose Bruck

Riva Bruck and Karina Milech open the show up as the fictitious Christie sisters, Tabitha and Clarissa. Cameron makes a cameo at the very end as their older sister Agatha.

Bruck, who also portrays weather forecaster Fannie Monroe, is one of four District 2 residents in the show. The others are Steve Stein (General Barkis),  Chana Myschowski (Sally) and Seymour David (Mr. Trowel). This play had my full attention from the get go, with a good story line and very funny dialogue. Scene stealers include the wonderful Dan Harroch as butler Mr. Meables, Dollard des Ormeaux city councillor Herbert Brownstein as chain smoking newscaster  Hal J. Murrow,  Judy Kenigsberg as Melba Covington, Hannah Schefren as  Mamie LaHush and Barbar Diehl as Mrs. Roulade the foul mouthed cook.

Councillor Mitchell Brownstein, who established the CSL Dramatic Society three and a half years ago, took a break from performing this time around and serves as producer. He and Mayor Anthony Housefather gave opening remarks.

“The show will be a great Valentine’s Day surprise for your significant other,” said   Brownstein. “Do something different this year and watch this very funny story, which takes place in Connecticut in 1954.”

Tickets are available at the Eleanor London Côte Saint-Luc Public Library, the Aquatic and Community Centre or at www.CSLDramaticSociety.com. The cost is $23, or $20 for students and seniors.

Here is a teaser for the show via Harroch, who shaved his beard soon after this recording:

A couple of years ago my colleague, Councillor Mitchell Brownstein, had a dream: to bring musical theatre to Côte Saint-Luc. Obtaining the services of a first class director in Anisa Cameron was the first step to guaranteed success. Rotating between comedy and musicals, we have been treated to two top-notch shows annually. Last year's presentation of Fiddler on the Roof was sensational.

On June 5  I attended a special VIP showing of their latest efforf, Catch Me If You Can The Musical. I saw the movie of the same name at least half a dozen times, but never did catch the Broadway musical. Well the Côte Saint-Luc Dramatic Society now goes into the books as presenting the Canadian premiere. The storyline revolves around Frank W. Abagnale, Jr., a teenager who runs away from home in search of the glamorous life. With nothing more than his boyish charm, a big imagination and millions of dollars in forged checks, Frank successfully poses as a pilot, a doctor and a lawyer - living the high life and winning the girl of his dreams. But when Frank's lies catch the attention of FBI agent Carl Hanratty, Carl chases Frank to the end...and finds something he never expected.

By the time the run ends on June 22, there will have been 14 shows. 

Cameron assembled an excellent cast, with Brandon Schwartz turning in an outstanding performance in the lead role. "We’ve assembled a wonderfully talented cast including Brandon , a very gifted 17-year-old singer and performer,”   Cameron said. “Brandon has a remarkable voice and if he chooses to stay in Montreal, he’s going to be a fixture in the professional theatre scene for years to come.”

Schwartz has been performing since age six and is now studying music with a specialization in jazz voice at Marianopolis College

Hats off as well to  Mike Melino, Matthew Mckeown, Marieve Guerin, Megan Magisano, Elvi Dalgaard, Craig Dalley, Alexandre Iannuzzi, Shaun Nishmas, Jason Szwimer, Arielle Buch-Frohlich, Bailey Cohen-Krichevsky, Stefanie Demberg, Raquel Herscovici, Samantha Leibgott, Natasha Lilliman, Einav Ne'Eman, Ilana Nyveen, Noam Shalev, Shy Shalev, Ariel Sterlin, Elyssa Stock , Michael Goldwax, David Taveroff and of course Mitchell Brownstein.

Goldwax, a Hampstead town councillor and director general of Le Waldorf Senior Residence, played a railroad agent, a doctor and show business host. The man has some versatile acting chops.

Musical Direction was handled masterfully by David Terriault, choreography by Alexia Gourd, technical direction and lights by Scott Drysdale and  costumes by Elyse Malo.   Ariel Sterlin was the assistant choreographer;  Alexa Burak the stage manager and  Reesa Rosenfeld heading production.

This no small thing to produce. How lucky we are to have a theatrical group of this calibre within our own midst. And now of this would be possible, I might add, without our tremendous staff - notably the likes of Cornelia Ziga, Ryan Nemeroff and Harold "Kid" Cammy.

 Tickets are on sale online at CSLDramaticSociety.com or at the Côte Saint-Luc library (5851 Cavendish Blvd.), the Côte Saint-Luc Aquatic and Community Centre (5794 Parkhaven Ave.), or by telephone at 514-485-6800 ext. 2024. Tickets for evening performances are $27 for adults, and $24 for seniors/students. Matinees and preview shows are $18. Taxes are included in the price.

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I attended the special VIP showing of the Côte Saint-Luc Dramatic Society production of the dark comedy Bedtime Stories, by Canadian playwright Norm Foster, and there is no question that multi-talented director Anisa Cameron(pictured) has another smash hit on her hands.

The show runs for five performances from January 30 to February 2, 2014 at the Harold Greenspon Auditorium (5801 Cavendish Boulevard). With Mayor Anthony Housefather and Councillors Mitchell Brownstein and Sam Goldbloom in the cast, there is some nice political flavor. On VIP night, the likes of the Consuls General from Israel and Egypt; the mayor of Hampstead and council members from the latter, TMR and Dollard were on hand. In fact, Dollard Councillor Herbert Brownstein -who never forgets his CSL roots - is in the cast as well.

Norm Foster’s Bedtime Stories brings together six funny and touching tales. Each story intertwines into the next, all with the central focus being a bed. It weaves itself seamlessly as a shock radio jock (District 2 resident Steve Stein) pays a couple (Goldbloom, in a stunning bathrobe and Judy Kenigsburg) $5,000 to make love on the air; an aging rock star (Herb Brownstein) is confronted by a groupie (Ariel Sterlin); a woman (Jordana Kujavsky) visits a dying man (Mayor Housefather) she feels she hurt years ago. 

Goldbloom (pictured below) and Kenigsburg were just hilarious in their roles and set the tone for the play very early on.

Other actors include Mikey Samra, Lia Ollo, Matais Ritt, Suzanne De Jonge, Seymour David, Priam David and Brenda Epstein.   The stage manager is Brandon Schwartz while Scott Drysdale serves as  technical director.

Tickets are on sale online at CSLDramaticSociety.com or at the Côte Saint-Luc library (5851 Cavendish Blvd.), at the Côte Saint-Luc Aquatic and Community Centre (5794 Parkhaven Ave.), or by telephone at 514-485-6806 ext. 2200.

The ticket price is $18 + tax  for students and seniors and $20 + tax. for general admission.

The Côte Saint-Luc Dramatic Society is a community theatre initiative that began in the summer of 2011 in partnership with the City of Côte Saint-Luc. The goal of the society is to bring together actors, writers, musicians and other artistically-minded community members to produce theatrical works in an inclusive environment where emphasis is placed on team work and camaraderie, not celebrity. 

For more information about the production, visit www.CSLDramaticSociety.com. Also check out Councillor Glenn J. Nashen's blog.

What began as a small project for my colleague, Councillor Mitchell Brownstein, has now become very big. I am referring to the Côte Saint-Luc Dramatic Society and their spectacular presentation of the classical musical Fiddler on the Roof. I was among those fortunate enough to attend the May 22 VIP preview presentation of the show at the Giovanni Palatucci Facility  (former Wagar High School) on Parkhaven

The  production features professional actors Sam Stein as Tevye and Kalie Rae as Golde.

“Our community theatre has taken another step forward by recruiting professional actors in our two lead rolls,” said Councillor Brownstein, who is responsible for the Côte Saint-Luc Dramatic Society and a long-time community theatre actor. “I think people are going to be amazed by how good community theatre can be.”

Fiddler on the Roof runs from May 23 to June 9, 2013, at 5785 Parkhaven Ave. The production is directed by the brilliant  Anisa Cameron.

Fiddler on the Roof is a musical with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. The show is set in Tsarist Russia in 1905. The original Broadway production of the show opened in 1964. The story centres on Tevye, the father of five daughters, and his attempts to maintain his family and Jewish religious traditions while outside influences encroach upon their lives. He must cope both with the strong-willed actions of his three older daughters—each one's choice of husband moves further away from the customs of his faith—and with the edict of the Tsar that evicts the Jews from their village.

Sam Stein is absolutely magnificent as Tevye. Ditto for Rae as Golde. Others who shine among the very large cast are Michelle Sasson as Tzeitel, Moriel Shahin as Hodel, Einav Ne'eman as Chava, Daniel Harroch as Motel, Kenny Stein as Perchik and Hannah Sheffren as Yente. We must also mention Grade 4 JPPS student Aidan Catriel as the Fiddler.

Councillor Brownstein and his brother Herb (a Dollard councillor) turn in fine performances as Lazar Wolf the butcher and the Rabbi respectively.  Councillor Sam Goldbloom stands tall as the innkeeper. Hampstead Councillor Michael Goldwax, who by day is the executive director of Le Waldorf in CSL, is part of the cast while Mayor Anthony Housefather and Hampstead Councillor and mayoral candidate Bonnie Feigenbaum have cameo roles, as does CSL's Director of Parks and Recreation  David Taveroff.

And hats off to several of my District 2 constituents in the cast: the father and son team of Steve and Jesse Stein,  Mike Rappaport,  Cheryl Everett-Rajchgot and Seymour David. Dr. Jerrold Rappaport, a noted general practioner, serves as videographer and assistant to the director.

Brownstein has built up a very healthy organization, bringing in multiple corporate sponsors. The program book has a healthy supply of advertisements. And if you think Fiddler is a success, wait until next year's planned collaboration with the Black Theatre Workshop unfolds with the presentation of Hairspray.

The special preview show included a VIP reception, attended by many dignitaries and guests.

I will be back to see this show in June when we hold a special presentation in honour of our volunteers.

Tickets are available online at CSLDramaticSociety.com. Those without a computer can purchase tickets in person at the Côte Saint-Luc Aquatic and Community Centre (5794 Parkhaven Ave.), Parks and Recreation office (7500 Mackle Rd.), or the Eleanor London Côte Saint-Luc Public Library (5851 Cavendish Blvd.).