As directed by Bernie Cardell, the production hits all the right notes without missing a beat
Cabaret, currently on stage at Aurora’s Vintage Theatre, is like visiting with an old friend – both uniquely familiar and extremely satisfying. Directed by Bernie Cardell, artistic director of Vintage Theatre, this is a class-A production of the enduring musical dramedy that debuted on Broadway over five decades ago. Along with the iconic music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, it has a solid book by Joe Masteroff.
Although filled with significant and powerful storylines, the essence of Cabaret is the relationship between an American writer, Cliff (Grant Bowman) and English cabaret singer Sally Bowles (Abby McInerney). Along for the ride is a gender-bending and somewhat enigmatic emcee (played by eden origin) at the tarnished Kit Kat Klub located in Berlin in 1930. And we mustn’t overlook the incredible ensemble of singing and dancing girls and boys of the club who ply their trade both on stage and in the audience much to the delight of those in attendance.
Although calling into question Cliff’s sexuality, Sally hurriedly moves in with him in a rooming house owned by Fraulein Schneider (Mary Campbell) and the two become a romantic couple. Also living in the rooming house and providing a fair amount of comic relief is Fraulein Kost (Samantha Barasso) a high-volume hooker with a heart of gold. Another character of note is Herr Schultz (Brian Trampler), a Jewish fruit vendor, who eventually becomes the love interest of Fraulein Schneider and meets a tragic fate while living under the shadow of Hitler and the Nazi takeover occurring around all of them.
The couple’s life together becomes complicated when Sally finds out she’s pregnant. No longer working at the club, she is pressured to return to the notorious Kit Kat — thus going back to the dubious life she led before meeting Cliff. He is at a breaking point and determined to return to his home in the United States with Sally. But she proclaims her own intentions through the illustrious song “Cabaret” and the curtain comes down to a horrific conclusion. The audience is left gasping for air as they realize the unspeakable fate of those who have just entertained them for the previous two-plus hours.
McInerney as Sally Bowles delivers a stirring performance as she moves through the peaks and valleys of Sally’s tumultuous life. She is in top form vocally and delivers a heart-wrenching “Maybe This Time” along with an astute “Cabaret” as she contemplates the trajectory of her life. As Cliff, Bowman is a welcome addition to the Vintage Family. His performance is thoughtful and refined as the American who descends upon Nazi Germany. origin plays the Emcee for all it’s worth with a solid performance that transcends being gender specific. The audience is treated to origin’s exceptional musicality with such songs as “Wilkommen,” “Money,” and “If You Could See Her.”
Turning in a gripping performance is Campbell as Fraulein Schneider, who finally finds love only to lose it because of the times she lives in. Fraulein Schneider is conflicted through much of the action and Campbell has grabbed onto this uneasy turmoil and offers up a superb characterization. Barasso as the working girl Fraulein Kost is delightful and comedically gifted while turning in a momentous rendition of the song “Tomorrow Belongs to Me.”
Vintage’s Nickelson Auditorium was tweaked to include space for audience members and tables on the sides. | Photo: RDGPhotography
As directed by Cardell, the production hits all the right notes without missing a beat. By adapting the theatre space to include the audience on three sides and at individual club tables, Cardell has brought the action right into the audience’s laps with a spellbinding effect. The audience becomes an up-close witness to the downfall of Germany to the Nazis while being entertained by a troupe of amazingly talented and colorful performers. Music director Tanner Kelly achieves a strong vocal presentation highlighting the lyrics and music of Kander and Ebb accompanied by the band led by Mary Dailey. Special attention must be paid to the terrific costume design by Susan Rahmsdorff-Terry.
Vintage Theatre has mounted a superb production of Cabaret that is worth seeing for the first time — or again and again.
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