Back in my depravity days, chewing gum and smoking cigarettes, Kander and Ebb's musical “Cabaret” was the light that shone on Berlin in 1929 and '30. Desperate people and desperate dreams. Night life, bed sitter life and the Nazis. And music once heard never forgotten. There followed, and I'm guessing here, approximately 847,329 productions world wide.
Randy Harrison as Emcee, Benjamin Eakeley as Clifford Bradshaw and Patrick Vaill as Ernst Ludwig in the 2016 National Touring production of Roundabout Theatre Company's CABARET. Photo Credit by Joan Marcus.
And then New York's Roundabout Theater Company, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, took “Cabaret” to a new level in 1998 with Sam Mendes and Rob Marshall's Tony award winning production playing now through Jan. 22 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
Sex, in just about every possible position, combination and outcome, is the star. From the opening "Willkommen" through the white walled "Finale" there's a sensuality that permeates every scene.
Scott Robertson as Herr Schultz and Mary Gordon Murray as Fraulein Schneider in the 2016 National Touring production of Roundabout Theatre Company's CABARET. Photo Credit by Joan Marcus.
The staging is, well, brilliant. Scene changes are seamless, the lighting paints every picture and the music from the Kit Kat band, played by eighteen actors from the cast is a revelation; their "Entr' Acte" a message from the gods. The choreography? Slick, funny and tastefully lewd.
The plot, of course, is boy meets girl. Sub plot, old folks try for happiness. Reality strides in.
Randy Harrison (who formerly starred in the TV series "Queer as Folk") is an adorably depraved Emcee. He'll touch your heart.
Randy Harrison as the Emcee and the 2016 National Touring cast of Roundabout Theatre Company's CABARET. Photo Credit by Joan Marcus.
And Benjamin Eakeley brings a seldom seen strength to the role of Cliff, the American tyro writer who travels to Berlin and meets everybody's nemesis, Sally. She's the Kit Kat headliner, a 19 year old somewhat wilted English Rose. She's played by Andrea Goss who shows her powerful voice in her big number, "Cabaret." Would that she'd use that voice in her dialogue. Mumble seems the current setting.
Andrea Goss as Sally Bowles, Randy Harrison as the Emcee and the 2016 National Touring cast of Roundabout Theatre Company's CABARET. Photo Credit by Joan Marcus.
The December/December couple, Fraulein Schneider and Herr Schultz, Mary Gordon Murray and Scott Robertson, provide the just right dose of schmaltz and Alison Ewing certainly deserves mention as aging Kit Kat girl Fritzie and sailor ridden Fraulein Kost. A fast girl in more ways than one.
Patrick Vaill brings many levels as the rigidly sly Nazi, Ernst Ludwig, not least of which is his ability to enable sympathy for an unsavory character.
Sarah Bishop as Helga, Andrea Goss as Sally Bowles and Alison Ewing as Fritzie in the 2016 National Tour of Roundabout Theatre Company's CABARET. Photo Credit by Joan Marcus.
BT McNicholl directed this touring production and he's not only mounted one of the smoothest, imaginatively dynamic musicals, he's presented a multi talented cast that enhances every minute of every scene.
“Cabaret” plays through January 22 as part of the Broadway in Fort Lauderdale series t the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW 5th Avenue, Ft Lauderdale. 844-854-1450. www.centerfortlauderdale.com/index.php
