Cabaret show offers late-night culture

The nightlife in Salt Lake City just got a little bit more … cultured.

As is often the case, after going out to dinner you sometimes want another hour or so before facing the kids, the barking dogs and the "Seinfeld" reruns.

But where do you go? A noisy nightclub? Out for ice cream?

There is a new alternative: "Cast Party SLC."

Based on similar and successful programs in New York and Los Angeles, "Cast Party" is a late-night cabaret show. The brainchild of Kevin Christensen, a local musician, and Jacob Johnson, a local actor, "Cast Party SLC" will feature local theater talent singing everything from Broadway favorites to sassy tongue-in-cheek gems, standards and everything in between.

"Cabaret is unique in that it is improvised to a certain point," said Johnson, "but also maintains a certain focus on quality and mood as well."

"Singers and performers pine for a non-karaoke venue that will allow them to do what they do best with live musicians and a rapt audience — not a low-quality minus track and poor lighting," said Christensen, who will be tickling the ivories for the singers.

"Salt Lake is known for its talent pool," Christensen continued, "and performing-arts consumers will find a delightful, classy venue where they can unwind and listen to great singers do their stuff."

The cabaret show kicks off April 4 in Salt Lake Acting Company's Chapel Theatre. It will run each Saturday from 10:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., following SLAC's production of "End Days." Tickets are $5 at the door.

E-mail: ehansen@desnews.com