Steamboat Springs — Once part of Cabaret, it’s difficult to avoid conjuring up a comedic skit just from reading the daily police blotter or a story in the newspaper.

“You get this ‘Cabaret’ fever,” said Paula Salky, director for this year’s “Cabaret: Rudderless Boat.” “Once you’ve been in a ‘Cabaret,’ you can’t go anywhere in Steamboat and not read about something or see something without thinking ‘Oh! That would make a great skit!’”

The Steamboat Springs Arts Council’s annual “Cabaret” will begin at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Salky said it’s difficult for people to make decisions in this town — much like the crew of a rudderless boat, with no one steering or having a sense of where they are going — yet there is a whole town full of people along for the ride.

With a mere five days to prepare for opening night, the 40-plus cast and crew members come prepared to add-lib or improvise. After all, that’s what makes this particular show unique.

“From what I’ve seen in the past three days, there are still things that are added, taken away or changed,” said Kay Wagner, longtime “Cabaret” actor. “Things keep getting better. It really shows you the incredible imaginations of people here.”

Infusing new energy into the cast are many of the “Cabaret” first timers — some with a background in theater, others with no prior experience.

“A lot of the skits may have singing or dancing, and that puts people of their comfort zone,” said Matt Eidt, a Steamboat resident who will be in “Cabaret” for the first time this year. “The whole thing feels like a whirlwind, and the pace you have to work at doesn’t give you time to be uncomfortable.”

Skits include content that ranges from public rants of dog owners who can’t pick up after their pets to a police report of a woman who was said to have had a vision in which God told her to go to a ranch to find a cowboy who would offer her a job. Each of the seven skits will be accompanied by an on-screen note explaining its inspiration.

“We can’t make this stuff up,” Salky said. “Everything that is in the show directly correlates to what is happening in Steamboat or in the world. About 85 percent of the material is Steamboat related, coming from the Steamboat Pilot and Today or the Record. It’s those stories or occurrences that will resonate with everyone.”

Tickets cost $30 ($25 tax deductible) and are available at All That and the Depot Art Center. For a VIP table of four, the cost is $200 and includes four premier seats, a bottle of wine, “Cabaret” swag and “lite bites.”

To reach Audrey Dwyer, call 970-871-4229, email adwyer@ExploreSteamboat.com or follow her on Twitter @Audrey_Dwyer1