CABARET PARISIEN TO BRING THE MOULIN ROUGE TO ST. AUGUSTINE

First Coast Opera will present “Cabaret Parisien – A Night of Music, Food & Fun” on November 9, 10, 16, and 17, 2007 at the Bishop Baker Parish Center, 259 St. George Street, St. Augustine, Florida. Showtime is 8:00 pm with Cash Bar open at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $20, $19 in advance, or $170 for table of 10 people. Tickets include show, French hors d’oeuvres, coffee and dessert.

When someone thinks of French cabaret, the shows at the Moulin Rouge may be the first image that comes to mind.  Cabaret Parisien will continue the tradition of these famous variety shows, with beautiful women, singing, dancing and unusual costumes.  The show’s music ranges from arias and scenes from the French operas Faust, Werther and The Tales of Hoffmann and from the operettas, La Vie Parisienne, Die Fledermaus and The Merry Widow, to songs by Poulenc and Satie to modern favorites popularized by the amazing Edith Piaf and Cole Porter.  And, oh yes, a traditional Can-Can dance will definitely be part of the festivities!  The show will be created and directed by Kristin Samuelson with a cast of nine singers including some First Coast Opera favorites like Rhonda Nus Tinnin, Janet Rabe-Meyer, and Regina Torres, along with some outstanding newcomers.  Musicians will include Kathleen Vande Berg on piano and Dennis Hunsicker on accordion.

Along with all of the entertainment, patrons will get to sample delicious French hors d’oeuvres prepared by the Culinary Institute of First Coast Technical College, freshly baked French bread, assorted cheeses, pastries and coffee, all included in their ticket price. There will also be French wine and other beverages available at the cash bar. Entire tables of 10 can be reserved at a substantial discount, so Cabaret Parisien is perfect for group outings, too.

Tickets to last year’s Cabaret Italian-Style sold out quickly and many people had to be turned away. Cabaret Parisien will be an even more extravagant and entertaining evening. Where else in Northeast Florida can you get a night in Paris, full of French arias, torch songs, delicious food, wine and Can-Can dancing? Everyone is encouraged to get their tickets while they can by calling 904-417-5555 today!

First Coast Opera is entering its eighth season, providing Northeast Florida with professional performances of opera, operetta, cabarets and more. The company was founded by Barbara Norris and Anthony and is located in the historic city of St. Augustine, Florida. Past productions have included Madama Butterfly, The Magic Flute, HMS Pinafore, Babes In Toyland, The Mikado and many concerts and cabarets. Upcoming productions for the 2007-2008 season include Cabaret Parisien, Master Class, Romanza: Songs Of Love, and Gilbert & Sullivan’s Pirates Of Penzance. First Coast Opera is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation and is partially funded by the St. John’s County Tourist Development Council.