Piazza’s Allen Cast in Arena Cabaret; Oscar and Gillentine, Too

By Andrew Gans
July 20, 2006

Glenn Seven Allen, who made his Broadway debut in The Light in the Piazza, has been cast in the Arena Stage’s upcoming production of Cabaret.

Allen told Playbill.com that he will portray Clifford Bradshaw in the Kander and Ebb musical, which will play the Washington, D.C. theatre Sept. 8-Oct. 29. “Molly Smith will direct a cast that includes myself, Brad Oscar [as the Emcee] and Meg Gillentine [as Sally Bowles],” Allen added.

Cabaret, which is based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood, concerns a down-on-her-luck nightclub singer (Sally Bowles) in pre-World War II Berlin and her relationship with a visiting writer (Clifford Bradshaw). The musical features a book by Joe Masteroff, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. The original Broadway production was directed by Harold Prince. The 1998 revival starred Natasha Richardson and Alan Cumming, who won Tony Awards for their performances as, respectively, Sally Bowles and the Emcee. A 1972 film version of "Cabaret," directed by Bob Fosse, was awarded eight Academy Awards. In addition to Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey, who both won Oscars for their performances, the movie also featured Michael York, Marisa Berenson and Fritz Wepper.

Glenn Seven Allen was a swing in The Light in the Piazza, and he also understudied the roles of Fabrizio and Giuseppe. He was recently seen in the York Theatre Company's mounting of A Fine and Private Place, and his many regional credits include Pirates of Penzance, Julius Caesar, Student Prince, Ligiea, Tales of Hoffmann and A Michigan Man.

Arena Stage is located at 1101 Sixth Street, SW in Washington, DC. Tickets are available by calling (202) 488-3300. Visit www.arenastage.org for more details.