Come to the‘Cabaret’

PLAY TIME

  • Dawson Macleod, playing the Emcee, in Cabaret, which will be performed through November 6 on the Palace Theatre’s Springer Memorial Stage. ANDY SHARP
    Dawson Macleod, playing the Emcee, in Cabaret, which will be performed through November 6 on the Palace Theatre’s Springer Memorial Stage. ANDY SHARP

    Linda Dwyer

    Ariveting rendition of Cabaret opened at the Palace Theatre October 7. The Broadway musical debuted in New York City in 1966 and became a box office hit. It was based on John Van Druten’s 1951 play I Am a Camera, which was adapted from the semi-autobiographical 1939 novel Goodbye to Berlin by American writer Christopher Isherwood. The award-winning musical inspired the 1972 film directed by Bob Fosse and starring Liza Minnelli, Michael York and Joel Grey.

    Cabaret takes place in Berlin. The avant-garde city is at the cusp of financial ruin and the rise of the Nazi Party. Most scenes take place at the decadent Kit Kat Klub where the pursuit of self-indulgence contrasts with the somber, dark reality of pure evil brewing outside the club.

    Cliff, a struggling American writer, is new to the city. The reserved academic is bowled over by Sally Bowles, a vibrant cabaret performer. David Dech does a fine job playing the part of Cliff, who transcends from heddy naivety to a chilling awareness of atrocities taking place in Germany.

    Kris Glorioso plays Sally, who is ruled by her urges and appetites. Glorioso’s commanding stage presence emerges when she belts out “Life is a Cabaret.” The song reflects the outlook of the tragic heroine who lives for the stage at any cost.

    As Berlin moves from exciting to ominous, a sub story does the same. Fraulein Schneider, Cliff’s landlady, finds romance with Herr Schultz, a German/Jewish fruit vendor. The courtly couple become victims of Anti-Semitism. Veteran actor Jerry Brown expertly portrays Herr Schultz. Betty Ortwein plays kind hearted Frau Schneider with grace and ease.

    The song “It Couldn’t Please Me More” showcases strong stage chemistry between Brown and Ortwein. Frau Schneider receives a pineapple from her suitor.

    “If you brought me roses, like some other gents might bring to other girls, it couldn't please me more than the gift I see, a pineapple for me.”

    Herr Schultz answers, “It couldn't please me more than to see you cling to the pineapple I bring.”

    The vital role of the Emcee is played by Dawson MacLeod, who owns the stage in this role. He anchors scenes in the seedy subculture of the Kit Kat Klub. MacLeod rivets our attention with great physicality, in a role that is both grotesque and mesmerizing. His hedonistic character flaunts rules andnormsinthesongTwoLadies which translates to a rotating gender bending threesome.

    Ensemble dancers were amazing. Tawdry costumes and atmospheric lighting created a murky nightclub ambiance. The spectacular set provided three levels for decadent debauchery.

    Outstanding music drives the narrative of this musical. The band played on stage as part of the nightclub staff. Opening song “Willkommen” introduces the sleazy Kit Kat Klub. It’s followed by “Welcome to Berlin.” The song “Married” nicely set up a romance plot. “Tomorrow Belongs to Me” is a haunting and sobering reminder of unbridled nationalism. The seemingly light hearted “If You Could See Her” ends up with an ugly punch line and “What Would You Do” introduces an uncomfortable moral dilemma.

    Kudos to director Emily Taylor for bringing the powerhouse production together. It’s impossible to watch the relevant story of Germany’s slide into Nazism without reflections on history repeating itself with extremism and the effects of apathy.

    Come to the Cabaret! The play runs through November 7 on the Springer Stage at the Palace Theatre.

    dwyer@wilcosun.com