Life is a Cabaret in New York (Cabaret - The Musical)

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Product:	Cabaret - The Musical
Date:	02/01/02 (133 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The best show ever

Disadvantages: NONE

"HELLO DARLINGS!"

(in character- this is not me!- laughs).

I have just got back from New York. I had a great time. I Saw 4 plays, two films, went up the Empire State Building, saw The Statue Of Liberty, ate Belgian Waffles, loads of Bagels and walked for miles. But what was the highlight of my week long stay? Christmas Day in New York? The weather? Cold but no rain. The food? Broadway? Well.... the highlight was a show called Cabaret. Read on and I will explain why.

***C A B A R E T ***

AT STUDIO 54- NEW YORK
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Cabaret the musical returned to Broadway in 1998. Sam Mendes (the director of the highly acclaimed film, American Beauty) took the show and injected a sense of 'now' into the proceedings at the Donmar Theatre in London. He cast Jane Horrocks (Little Voice and Ab Fab) as Sally Bowles. After her amazing performance and the plaudits that the show received- America wanted a slice of this evergreen nostalgia. They got it- upgraded! The show was so successful that it moved to a new venue: STUDIO 54 the once famous nightclub where the in crowd would love to be seen- the ideal venue.

1,165 performances later and the show is still going strong on Broadway. It is now the fourth longest running revival shows in Broadway's history.

The show's composer John Kander has said: "What Sam has done is revisit the piece in a way that makes it theatrically contemporary, whilst retaining the emotional relevance that was always there."

HOW DID CABARET COME ABOUT?
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Cabaret is based on "I Am A Camera"- a 1951 play that John Van Druten derived from Christopher Isherwood's story "Sally Bowles." Isherwood's Berlin Stories vividly portrays the the poverty, political violence, and the ideological bankruptcy of the years 1929 to 1933. What made the show different was the fact that was i
t was sentiment free and able to deal with issues such as rebellion, prostitution and blurred sexuality. When I say blurred- at the time of the original production it was deliberately blurred as 'they could not get away with' the show you see now.

THE FILM
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In 1972 Bob Fosse took the musical and deighted film goers with his stunning adaptation. Who could forget Liza Minnelli in top hat and tails dancing with Michael York and Joel Gray? The film whetted the audiences appetite for more. Each time Cabaret has been staged it has been able to keep pushing boundaries and leave the audience gasping for more from "Mein Herr."

REVIVAL
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In 1987 the show was revived and got a far racier treatment than ever before. Eleven years later Sam Mendes and Rob Marshall picked the show up and upped the ante even more. The Cabaret you see now is quite diferent. Imagine Chicago but twice as racy and without someone from Brookside Close attempting to look sexy and this is Cabaret.

THE REVIEW
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Cabaret is about change, the need for rebellion and the growing threat of war on our doorstep. Just as relevant today as then. Set in The Kit Kat Club in Berlin; the audience are involved from the word go. As the show is staged in Studio 54, the famous NY nightclub- the audience are involved as more than mere bystanders. The club scenes are played out to the audience for the audience. Black chairs and tables adorn the floor of the famous nightclub and the stage has a platform in the middle with steps so the cast can walk out amongst the audience and chat to them completely in character. On the balcony above- other audience members look down on the nightclub scenes from up above wondering why they didn't pay more to be in on the act! Each table has a lamp which lights up whenever the club is part of the scene/act.

REAL CABARET OLD CHUM
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Like C
hicago- Cabaret has a real raw egde which is really welcome in Broadway when so many musicals rely on sugar to make the medicine go down. The cast are adorned in various states of undress with bruises on their legs and arms. This is the world of Cabaret where the dancers perform favours for the clientele. The songs vary from the silly to the sublime. Each one has a sardonic edge which stays with you long after you have left the Kit Kat Club. "Mein Lieber Herr" "Life Is A Cabaret" "Don't Tell Mama....." Each song is immediately memorable, although like the revival itself - they remain fresh due to the excellent delivery. With subjects such as sexuality, prostitution, and anti semitism, the songs do need the edge to help the audience feel that beneath the free and easy lifestyles lies a threatening, imposing sense of doom.

THE CAST
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There have been many cast changes over the years. Among the many excellent performers to don top hat and tails are: Natasha Richardson, Jennifer Jason Lee, Brooke Shields, Gina Gershon and Alan Cumming. If you see the show at the moment, who will you expect to find in the Kit Kat Club? Someone pretty who used to wear pink? You guessed it?

CURRENT CAST
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MOLLY RINGWALD- Sally Bowles

Yes, it's the Brat pack Queen from Pretty In Pink and The Breakfast Club! Never knew she could sing? Neither did I?!!! But boy can she belt out a tune. The bonus is she's a great actress too. So during the show's poignant scenes, you will feel
Sally's pain. Molly makes a cracking Sally Bowles! You will smile as the ex brat packer walks amongst the audience shouting: "Hello Darlings" in a perfect English accent which will banish any memories you have of Dick Van Dyke 'aving a lovely 'oliday wiv Mary!

RAUL ESPARZA- Emcee

This role is a difficult one to fill as Alan Cumming originated the new Emcee.
But Raul is dazzling as Emcee- the bisexual narrator. With humour a plenty and dazzling costumes and great song and dance routines- Raul Esparza has a ball with this role and so will you watching him. Think Rocky Horror but twice as risque- this is Ecmee.

MATTHEW GREER- Clifford Bradshaw

Again, a tough role. Clifford is torn between Sally Bowles and a man who is set to betray him. Dazzled by Berlin but aware that the war will change his life forever- Clifford is running scared. Matthew Greer is brilliant in this complex role. His scenes with Molly Ringwald are particularly powerful.

CAROLE SHELLEY- Fraulein Schneider

The landlady in Berlin who has lived her life at everyone elses beck and call finally finds happiness with a Jewish gentleman. But with the ever changing climate the audience knows that the happiness will be replaced with tears. A great emotive performance from Carole Shelley. She proves to be a real trouper who does not allow the young co- stars to steal her thunder.

THE REST!

Every cast member from the scantily cald orchestra to the dancers who mingle with the audience give fantastic performances in this ground breaking revival. I could not fault any of them.

WHERE IS THE SHOW ON?
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STUDIO 54, 254 West 54th Street

Yes, the Studio 54! One of the most written about nightclubs in the world and the topic of the film 54. The venue is open one hour before the show so that you can order drinks/food. Waiter service is provided.

SO, IT'S GOOD THEN?
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It's more than that. I went to New York in search of so much. I found it all- well I thought I did- until I saw Cabaret. From the opening scene my breath was left waiting to be taken away. It took me until the start of the second act to get it back! The venue was amazing and well suited. The cast mingle with the audience, brush past you and belt out the ter
rfic songs as if they are for your ears only. The story is emotive, thought provoking but the director never loses sight of the fact that Cabaret is supposed to be entertaining. The cast are amazing and the songs are familiar but like the show itself given such a credible makeover that they sound fresh and innovative. If you are lucky enough to go to New York, please check this show out. It is simply the best show on Broadway. Well, actually it's more than that- it's the best show I have ever seen!

It's "Perfectly Marvelous!"


PRICES VARY:
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Here's the hard bit to swallow:

From £25- £75

I know it seems expensive and it is. But for such a unique and involving show- I think it's money well spent. But the choice is yours. It is a once in a lifetime show.

In the words of Emcee and Sally:

"MONEY MAKES THE WORLD GO AROUND... BUT LIFE IS A CABARET OLD CHUM- COME JOIN THE CABARET!"

(yeah I know ... I've glued two songs together... but hey...)

Thanks for reading,

Glenn


** UPDATE**

Molly Ringwald has since finished her run and Jane Leeves (yes, Daphne from Frasier) is currently wowing crowds as the new Sally Bowles. Cast subject to change.

Also a new version of Cabaret is soon to be opening in Chichester. See www.whatsonstage.com for more details.


More info:

www.cabaret-54.com

www.broadway.com

www.stagebill.com

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