Cabaret first opened on Broadway in 1966. It is based on the 1951 play, I Am A Camera, which was adapted from the 1939 novel, Goodbye to Berlin. It won Tonys for Best Musical and Best Original Score in this original run. In 1972, the film version starring Liza Minnelli was released. A London revival in 1993 was directed by Sam Mendes and starred Alan Cumming. Cumming reprised his role in the 1998 and 2014 Broadway Revivals. And now, in 2023, the Porchlight Music Theatre opens it’s production at the Ruth Page Center.
In the musical, an American writer moves to Berlin to write a novel. On his first night, he meets a cabaret dancer. She quickly decides to move in with him. Later on, she discovers she is pregnant and they decide to settle down together. Their landlady meets an elderly Jewish man who she falls for. Before long they are engaged. Interspersed throughout the musical are performances at the cabaret by the Emcee and others. But then the Nazi’s begin to take power and everything changes.
Similar to their production of Rent, this production is a bit tamed down sexually and dramatically compared to others. Still, it’s a very grand show with great music and choreography.
Erica Stephan (Clue), is fantastic as the lead cabaret dancer. “Maybe this time, he’ll stay / Maybe this time, for the first time / Love won’t hurry away.” These are such powerful lyrics that are delivered powerfully. Josh Walker is phenomenal as the Emcee, especially during the song “Two ladies”. “Two ladies… / And he’s the only man.” Mary Robin Roth (Shear Madness) and Mark David Kaplan (Clue, Fiddler on the Roof at Lyric) are so sweet as the elderly couple
Cost of a ticket: $73
PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It +
Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Half Price > Go for Free > Don’t Bother
Get tickets now for Cabaret through March 5th!
Quinn Delaney
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