Long-running revival of `Cabaret' to close in November

NEW YORK (AP) _ The party is almost over at "Cabaret." <br><br>The long-running Broadway revival of the Kander and Ebb musical set in 1930s Berlin will close Nov. 2 at Studio 54 after a nearly six-year

Wednesday, August 27th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ The party is almost over at "Cabaret."

The long-running Broadway revival of the Kander and Ebb musical set in 1930s Berlin will close Nov. 2 at Studio 54 after a nearly six-year engagement. It will have played 2,306 performances.

The Roundabout Theatre Company production currently stars Melina Kanakaredes as the English chanteuse Sally Bowles and Jon Secada as the decadent master of ceremonies.

"Cabaret" opened March 19, 1998, at the Henry Miller Theatre with Alan Cumming and Natasha Richardson in the leading roles. Both won Tony Awards for their performances. Among the performers who have appeared in the musical since then were Michael C. Hall, John Stamos, Neil Patrick Harris, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Joely Fisher, Lea Thompson, Gina Gershon, Brooke Shields, Molly Ringwald and Deborah Gibson.

The environmental production, directed by Sam Mendes, was radically different from the original, which opened in 1966 and starred Jill Haworth, Joel Grey, Lotte Lenya and Jack Gilford. Mendes placed the audience at tiny tables on the theater's main floor where drinks could be purchased.

In 1972, the musical was turned into a film by director Bob Fosse. The movie starred Liza Minnelli as Sally Bowles and Grey, who reprised his Tony-winning Broadway performance. Michael York and Marisa Berenson also were in the cast. Both Minnelli and Grey won Academy Awards for their performances.