After a successful debut weekend in Indianapolis, producing partners Dustin Klein and Tom Alvarez are pleased to announce they’re bringing the 2018 Magic Thread Cabaret season to Carmel. The new venue is “The Cat,” a 120-seat theatre on 1st Avenue, positioned between the hip Carmel Arts District and much-anticipated Monon Boulevard.
“The Cat is truly honored that Tom & Dustin chose us as their home,” said Will Wood, founding artistic director. “The Cat, we hope, is known as a welcoming place for people with ideas. And this idea is a grand one!”
Magic Thread Cabaret will be a resident company of The Cat. The venue strives to be the “Off-Off-Broadway” of Carmel, giving artists a platform to perform to audiences in a trendy and intimate environment, where they can enjoy craft beer and wine surrounded by local, modern art for sale displayed gallery-style.
“We are very excited to bring Magic Thread Cabaret to Carmel,” said Artistic Director Dustin Klein. “With the proximity of The Cat to the Center for the Performing Arts and home of the Great American Songbook Foundation, it just makes sense for us to attempt to draw fans of the Great American Songbook, whom that organization has developed so well in the Carmel area.”
Klein & Alvarez, LLC produced the best-selling show of IndyFringe Festival 2016 and in early 2017, staged the world premiere of the full-length, top-selling “Calder, The Musical” that was recognized by theatre critics with two Mitty Awards for ” Most Impressive Set Design” and “Most Impressive Original Production.” Klein and Alvarez followed that creative endeavor with the debut of Magic Thread Cabaret in November 2017, featuring former Great American Songbook Youth Ambassador Lucas DeBard who was enthusiastically received in packed houses.
The inaugural show was made possible by the generous donations of arts patrons Frank and Katrina Basile, Christina Kite, Noble Consulting, Diane Meyer Simon, Rachel Simon and others. Magic Thread Cabaret is a nonprofit venture that is fiscally sponsored by Fractured Atlas, the New York-based nonprofit technology company that provides business tools for artists.
The 2018 Magic Thread Cabaret season at The Cat will be memorable as four accomplished, young artists bring their diverse talents to Hamilton County audiences, with the aim of “Connecting songs to the soul.”
“Klein & Alvarez Productions is very pleased that we can offer yet another live entertainment option to residents of Hamilton County and environs while providing further exposure to the urbane art form that is cabaret,” said Tom Alvarez, managing director.
Potts
March 2 and 3: Keith Potts presents “Here I Am”
Keith Potts is an Indianapolis actor and musician who has performed locally with Actors Theatre of Indiana, BobDirex, Phoenix Theatre, Indy Shakes, and Beef & Boards. Other credits include Goodspeed Opera House, Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Surflight Theatre, among other regional and touring companies. He can also be heard on the original cast recording of The Theory of Relativity from PS Classics. Potts wrote the music and lyrics for the musical V-V-Voice with writing partner Scott Damian that’s currently in development with Tony-nominated producer Heather Provost. Soon, Keith can be seen in Actors Theatre of Indiana’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Feb. 2-18 at The Studio Theatre at the Center for the Performing Arts. He is a proud graduate of The Boston Conservatory and member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Gentry
July 6 and 7: Katy Gentry is “Judy Garland LIVE!”
Katy Gentry has made her home on professional theatre stages for over 25 years. She first stepped foot in Judy Garland’s shoes when she originated the role in the Actors Theatre of Indiana premiere of Beyond the Rainbow in 2007, joining ATI’s reprisal of the show in 2017 to play 38-year-old Judy Garland in her iconic 1961 Carnegie Hall performance. Mesmerizing audiences with the look, mannerisms and voice of Judy, Gentry moved some audience members to tears and all to their feet, earning her a theatre critics’ Mitty Award for “Most Impressive Actress in a Lead Role.” She was an original cast member in the world-premiere Johnny Cash musical Ring of Fire with Fireside Dinner Theatre and Circa ‘21 Playhouse, performing to sold-out audiences. Gentry has performed with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in leading and supporting vocal roles sharing the stage with many acclaimed Broadway performers and recording artists. Other notable Equity theatre credits include The Odd Couple (Gwendolyn), Nunsense (Sister Amnesia), The Taffetas (Cheryl), and The Wizard of Oz (Chorus/Dorothy u/s). On request from acclaimed composer and arranger, Greg Gilpin, Katy made her debut at Carnegie Hall in 2012 in the role of Dorothy in the world premiere of Gilpin’s arrangement of The Wizard of Oz in the Reflections of Life concert hosted by Clay Aiken.
York
Sept. 7 and 8: Corby York brings “Heart & Music”
Baritone Corby York is a native of Elwood, Indiana. A graduate of Ball State University School of Music, York performs throughout the Indianapolis region as a soloist. He actively sings with the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus and directs the music program at Cumberland First Baptist Church. York has performed with Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for its annual Yuletide Celebration the past three years. Yuletide has allowed him to share the stage with artists like Ben Crawford, Josh Kaufman, Time for Three, and Sandi Patty.
Schott
Nov. 16 and 17: Melissa Schott in “The Key of Me”
No stranger to the stage, Melissa Schott is thrilled to bring a blend of pop, Broadway and folk to Magic Thread Cabaret. Take a journey through some of her favorites in an intimate musical setting. “Melissa makes you feel like she’s singing it just for you,” said Indiana Auditions. Most recently, Melissa appeared on stage in 42nd Street at North Shore Music Theatre (Peggy Sawyer u/s, Ensemble), directed and choreographed by Kelli Barclay (Original Broadway Choreography by Randy Skinner). She was recently invited to perform as a featured soloist at the Adrienne Arsht Center’s 11th Annual Gala, A Celebration of Women in the Arts, alongside Chita Rivera, Rita Moreno, Gloria Estefan, and Vanessa Williams. Quickly thereafter, she was invited to be a featured soloist at Carnegie Hall’s Medal of Excellence Gala, honoring Adrienne Arsht, at The Plaza Hotel.
The artists will perform two shows each night at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets for individual performances at The Cat, 254 1st Ave. SW, Carmel, are $35/$25/$15 and reflect seating options, with a beer and wine cash bar and light refreshments. Patrons can reserve their seats now by calling (317) 750-2484 or by emailing willwood@thecattheatre.com. A subscription to the 2018 Magic Thread Cabaret season that includes all four shows and priority seating can be purchased by emailing tomalva@gmail.com. New subscribers will save 20 percent off each price level until Feb. 1.
About Klein & Alvarez Productions, LLC
Klein & Alvarez Productions, LLC, which values a high degree of artistic excellence, seeks to provide performance, employment and educational opportunities for local artists. We believe that music, drama and dance can transform lives and enlighten society through art that is uplifting, thought-provoking and entertaining.