Butler
Columbus Indiana Philharmonic leaders are expecting some of their biggest crowds ever to materialize during the newest season of the ever-popular Cabaret at The Commons series that has highlighted musical stars of Broadway, film, and TV since the series began in 2015.
The public can begin purchasing Cabaret season packages at 10 a.m. today, according to organizers. Individual Cabaret tickets will be available Aug. 7.
Earlier tickets have been made available to previous package purchasers.
The series is currently averaging 325 people per show. Before the pandemic, the average at one point was more than 350 attendees per show at The Commons, 300 Washington St. downtown.
The biggest crowd for a single show was 457 people for Rumer Willis on July 21, 2016, shortly after she had won TV’s “Dancing with the Stars” competition. After that show, most seating configurations were for a maximum of 400 people.
But Donnie Robinette, the orchestra’s executive director, said that seating set-ups can now be configured more easily according to the number of tickets sold.
“With the headliners we’ve got for this season, I look for shows to exceed 400 people, or maybe even reach 450,” Robinette said, citing the current sizable following of each of the three acts booked for the series. “For instance, Darren Criss from ‘Glee’ will attract all the fangirls. And I expect that show to be a knockout.”
The schedule is as follows:
- Sept. 14: Orfeh and Andy Karl — Known as one of Broadway’s favorite couples, Orfeh’s vocals alongside theater heartthrob Andy Karl make for the perfect stage duo. You know them from: “Saturday Night Fever” (her), “Pretty Woman: The Musical (both),” “Legally Blonde: The Musical “(both), “Groundhog Day” (him), “Wicked” (him).
- Oct. 5: Kerry Butler — Tony nominee Kerry Butler will present a show featuring selections from “Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust, ” her debut album of Disney classics and rarities, along with songs from shows she’s done throughout the years. Audiences know her from: “Beetlejuice,” “Hairspray,” “Mean Girls,” “Xanadu,” “Les Misérables,” and “Little Shop of Horrors.”
- Dec. 13: Darren Criss — Golden Globe and Emmy winner Darren Criss rings in the holidays with a show called “A Very Darren Crissmas,” featuring an eclectic collection of songs from big band Christmas classics to novelty tunes and modern-day folk-pop ballads. Audiences know him from: “Glee,” “A Very Potter Musical,” “American Buffalo,” and “Hedwig & the Angry Inch.”
Information: thecip.org/cabaret
