He takes us from the earliest stages of memorizing lines and blocking to the move (with sets and costumes) into the Freud Playhouse, where performances continue through Sept. 25.
Hi, Playbill.com! Bryce Ryness here again. We're putting this show up in about 9 days. Join me as we go from rehearsal room to the theatre/Kit Kat Klub...
1st Day of School. Signing in... L-R: Katrina Lenk, Jona Mercer, Brett Leigh and Jeff McLean
Ensemble Equity Deputy Justin Michael Wilcox lets the people know who's boss.
Costume Designer Kate Bergh presents the costume ideas and inspirations to Lisa O'Hare (seated), Casting Director Amy Lieberman, Lighting Designer Jared Sayeg, Jeff McLean, Josh (seated), and Josh Walden-McLean (seated).
Hyper-speed music rehearsal, led by Piano/Conductor/Music Director Christy Crowl.
Star Lisa O'Hare (Sally) rehearses the Los Angeles way- in the bright morning sun while sipping a Coffee Bean Ice Blended.
Katherine Malak tries intently for a connection in "The Telephone Song."
In a moment of levity, Katrina Lenk (Fraulein Kost) is caught snort-laughing.
Lisa O'Hare (Sally) and the Cabaret Girls (L-R: Katherine Malak, Aurore Joly, Janelle Junio, and Bradley Benjamin) rehearse the shockingly scandalous "Don't Tell Mama."
Top to Bottom: Jenna Coker-Jones, me and Rachel Crissman rehearse "Two Ladies."
Robert Picardo (Schultz) plays host with the most to Christopher Zenner, Aurore Joly and Mark Creis in the final scene of Act I.
Katrina Lenk (Frl. Kost) begins her serio-comic seduction of Jeff McLean (Cliff) as Mary Gordon Murray (Fraulien Schneider) tries to keep it together.
Stars Jeff McLean (Cliff) and Lisa O'Hare (Sally) dive into their performances as Director Marcia Milgrom Dodge looks on.
I get up-close-and-personal with Rachel Crissman (behind) and Jenna Coker-Jones (legs) rehearsing "Two Ladies."
Amdist rehearsing, our daughter Mercy turns 2. New baby Judah and Mama (Meredith Anderson) look on as she digs into her birthday cinnamon rolls.
The men of the Kit Kat Klub (L-R): Josh Walden-McLean, Justin Michael Wilcox, Jona Mercer, Christopher Zenner, Brett Leigh and Mark Creis caught- in a break in the action- in their own, individual worlds.
Zach Bandler (Ernst) doing his character research... much to his chagrin.
Since "nobody walks in LA," myself, Zach Bandler, Jona Mercer and Justin Michael Wilcox drive down to Westwood on dinner break.
My dressing roommate Robert Picardo (Schultz) greets with open arms as we move from the rehearasal room to the Freud Playhouse.
First day onstage. Various props, stage pieces and instruments.
Getting comfortable with her new environ, Lisa O'Hare (Sally) works out the kinks on "Don't Tell Mama" while Production Stage Manager Jill Gold looks on.
Before-and-after. Klub girls: Bradley Benjamin, Janelle Junio, Katherine Malak and Aurore Joly make their grand entrance in both the rehearsal hall and theatre.
Production Stage Manager Jill Gold calls the shots with authority and grace.
Music Director/pianist/conductor Christy Crowl (right) sits with rehearsal accompanist Lloyd Cooper.
Katherine Malak and Aurore Joly prep backstage for their "Frohes Neues 1930!" entrance.
The ensemble prepares for the Act II Opening. Come down and see us at the Kit Kat Klub (Freud Playhouse) through Sept. 25!
Ragtime Tony nominee Marcia Milgrom Dodge directs and choreographs the Tony-winning John Kander-Fred Ebb musical.
The cast features Zach Bandler as Ernst Ludwig, Lisa O'Hare as Sally Bowles, Jeff McLean as Cliff Bradshaw, Katrina Lenk as Fräulein Kost, Mary Gordon Murray as Fräulein Schneider, Robert Picardo as Herr Schultz and Bryce Ryness as the Master of Ceremonies.
The ensemble includes Bradley Benjamin, Jenna Coker-Jones, Rachel Crissman, Aurore Joly, Janelle Junio, Brett Leigh, Katharine Malak, Jonathan Mercer, Mark Reis, Josh Walden, Justin Michael Wilcox and Christopher Zenner.
The production also features audience onstage seating at café-style tables along with an eight-piece, all-girl band led by musical director Christy Crowl.
Cabaret features a book by Joe Masteroff, based on the John Van Druten play "I Am a Camera" and the original stories by Christopher Isherwood. John Kander and Fred Ebb penned the Tony-Award winning score to the musical that features such hits as "Willkommen," "So What," "Don't Tell Mama" and the title song.
Jason Alexander is the artistic director of Reprise Theatre Company; Christine Bernardi Weil is managing director, and Gilles Chiasson is producing director.
For ticket information visit www.reprise.org or call the UCLA Central Ticket Office at (310) 825-2101.
