Rising Broadway star debuts solo show

You Don’t Know Me presented by Cabaret 313Following a sensational season opener featuring Tony Award-winner Rachel Bay Jones, Cabaret 313 presents award-winning stage actress Jillian Louis (It Shoulda Been You) on Saturday, October 27 in You Don’t Know Me, Louis’ brand-new cabaret show created exclusively for Cabaret 313. You Don’t Know Me takes place at The Players Club Playhouse in Detroit, MI with two shows at 7 and 9:30 p.m.

 

“I recently saw [Louis] perform at 54 Below in New York City, and despite the fact that she is still considered to be a ‘rising star,’ her performance was fresh, innovative, professional and very, very funny,” said Cabaret 313’s President and Executive Director Allan Nachman.

 

“It is important for Cabaret 313 to showcase to its attendees that cabaret is not only about well-known Broadway performers, but also for showcasing rising stars who have great potential and the spark that it takes to put on a good show.”

 

Since her Broadway debut in 2015’s It Shoulda Been You (directed by David Hyde Pierce), Louis has been presenting her charm and allure on stages throughout New York. In her brand-new show with Cabaret 313, she will showcase her unique talent in songs such as “Maybe This Time” from Cabaret, “We Can Work It Out” by The Beatles and “Leaving on a Jet Plane” by Peter, Paul and Mary.

 

“While some may think that cabaret music relates only to ‘old standards’ and the Great American Songbook, this is not the case,” Nachman said. “As long as the show is intimate and the artists share a bit about their life and why they chose to perform certain songs (whether pop, country or other) in their set, we have a cabaret show.”

 

Louis has performed alongside some of cabaret’s most prolific performers including pianist Randy Redd, who was recently featured as Rachel Bay Jones’ Musical Director in Something Beautiful, Cabaret 313’s 2018-19 season opener on September 22.

 

“[Louis] is a consummate actor, astonishing performer and one of the most thrilling voices I’ve heard – she is musical, soulful and personal,” said Redd. “Her dynamic presence is one that you won’t want to miss, and I’m sure that the audiences will experience a phenomenal show.”

 

On Sunday, October 28, Louis will lead a masterclass with Detroit’s Mosaic Youth Theatre in an effort to promote musical education in the city. The intimate one-on-one session will give aspiring performers from Mosaic Youth Theatre the opportunity to perform for and receive direct feedback from the artist.

 

“In the past, we have had ‘recognized’ Broadway stars to teach our masterclasses. In this case, while Louis is both professional and innovative, she has not yet risen to that level of stardom,” said Nachman. “This is important since the members of the Mosaic Youth Theatre who will be part of our masterclass will have the opportunity to see a fresh, rising star who is receiving critical acclaim. It will illustrate to the students that a good, memorable performance can emanate both from a Broadway star as well as a rising star.”

 

This masterclass is the second of three to be presented by Cabaret 313 during the 2018-19 season, followed by performers from Cabaret 313’s 11 O’Clock Numbers performance with Mosaic Youth Theatre on Sunday, March 24.

 

“Considering that Detroit no longer emphasizes music classes in its normal curriculum, Cabaret 313 presents these master classes to stress the importance of musical education to young performers in the city,” Nachman said. “We strive to illustrate that musical performance is achievable by many and that there is, in fact, a chance that anyone who would like to pursue the world of acting and singing can have an opportunity to do so with the proper support and direction.”

 

Tickets for Jillian Louis’ You Don’t Know Me are $125 for Preferred seating, $60 for General seating and $25 for attendees age 40 & Younger. To purchase tickets, visit www.cabaret313.org or call 313-405-5061.

 

Photo: Jillian Louis to debut her new show, You Don’t Know Me, on Saturday, October 27. Photo courtesy of Cabaret 313.