CABARET
by T.E. Klunzinger
It’s very scary to realize how much more relevant this musical is to the world today, than in the 60’s when it premiered. Back then, it was about the last, bad days of the Weimar Republic and that was that; now, what with cancel culture, emergency powers in Canada and pre-war maneuvers in Europe, it seems you’re watching a commentary on current events – and we’re not even talking about the good ol’ USA.
Director Mark Colson has crafted a tight show which gains greater force as it barrels toward the sadly inevitable conclusion, complimented by equally tight music direction by Jeff English which sometimes must master devilishly tricky cues.
Someone said in the recent past that the key to creating a top-tier production of Cabaret is that Sally Bowles, and the other Kit-Kat performers she works with, is/are not that good as performers and they know it, but they give it all they’ve got because they have nothing else, not even hope for something better in their lives.
That is excellently realized here, no more so than in Connor Kelly who as the Emcee is the decadent, shape-shifting heart of the show. As Sally, Meghan Malusek manages to teeter into mediocrity when she has to, but still sing to the rafters with "Maybe This Time" and the angry desperation of the title song.
With "What Would You Do?", Judith Evans as Fraulein Schneider comes close to stealing the show, while Drew Clark, Doak Bloss, Lewis Elson and Sally Hecksel stand out in the smaller roles.
Again, the ensemble of the Kit-Kat Club – girls and boys – are hardly the kind of glamorous group you might see in a Broadway show; but they’re exactly the kind of mismatched misfits you would encounter as they sing and dance their little hearts out while the civilized world is collapsing around them.
It’s also worth noting that this is the 1998 Broadway version which is a better show than the original since it incorporates Kander & Ebb songs not previously used. Cabaret runs this weekend and next at LCC’s Dart Auditorium, and it’s well worth seeing.
February 18-19, 25-26 @ 8 p.m.
February 20 @ 2 p.m.
LCC Dart Auditorium
Masks are required for all attendees, regardless of vaccination status.
Tickets $15 – General admission
$10 – LCC faculty, staff and senior citizens
$5 - Student
Only 150 pre-sale tickets will be sold online for each performance. An additional 100 tickets will be sold at the door - cash only. Online tickets can be purchased at: www.lcc.edu/mall
Contact LCC Performing Arts Production Office, 517-483-1122
Web http://www.lcc.edu/showinfo
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LCCPerformingArts/