Set in the seedy cabaret scene of Nazi Germany in 1929-1930, Cabaret follows free-spirited performer Sally Bowles as she takes the stage at the Kit Kat Club. Her life is unceremoniously upended, however, after she gets fired. She soon falls for An American writer named Cliff, and the duo’s seemingly doomed relationship unfurls against the backdrop of inescapable political strife.
The 60s and 70s were a time of political activism in America. So when a musical like Cabaret hit the scene, it did so with such fury and spectacle that led to it being an instant hit that would continue to play for over 1,000 shows. The musical’s messaging was as clear as it was nuanced: a rejection of totalitarianism and a push for greater social consciousness among the masses and within the arts.
The musical is based on an autobiographical novel by Christopher Isherwood titled Goodbye to Berlin (1939). The book traces Isherwood’s trip to the city of Berlin in 1929, a moment in time when there existed a vibrant queer scene that bolstered the presence of certain art forms, like cabaret. But beyond this seemingly glittery surface, Germany was anything but joyful during this era. The rising antisemitism, fascism, and violence meant that Isherwood’s experience was laced with as much excess as it was repression. The musical Cabaret does not shy away from adapting all aspects of this duality, drawing you in with the charm of a male peacock’s colorful dance and then subverting your expectations with a haunting, crumbling reality.
The original Broadway cast featured:
The musical has since featured several notable names in its many productions including Judi Dench, Michelle Williams, Teri Hatcher, Emma Stone, Cara Delevingne, Auli’i Cravalho, Alan Cumming, Eddie Redmayne, and Adam Lambert. The 1972 film version starred Liza Minnelli as Bowles, a career-defining performance that shaped all future interpretations of the character.
Entertainment has often leaned into the comical and bizarre as a form of escapism. During times of social and political turmoil, however, art becomes a form of protest, used to express the depths of human resilience, hope, and desire for change. Cabaret was one such piece, a production that showcased the ability of song and dance to be as mesmerizing as it was harsh in its critique of the world outside the theater doors. With rich thematic elements, a focus on contemporary issues, and earworms for days, Cabaret is the gold standard of what musical theater can be.
Upon its opening, the musical was hailed as a “dark masterpiece” owing to its unabashed tackling of bigotry in Nazi Germany. Pairing the escapism of the cabaret with the increasingly violent society that Berlin was devolving into, Cabaret turns the lens onto society itself, showcasing the worst of humanity in times of strife through the classic medium of a musical. A brilliant satire, this show lives up to its name.
Cabaret on Broadway runs for 2 hours and 45 minutes with one 15-minute interval.
The musical is suitable for children aged 13 and up. As the name suggests, it features themes and performances rooted in cabaret, including some risqué elements, allusions to adult themes including sex and pregnancy, and sociopolitical topics including queerphobia and antisemitism. This production also features loud sound effects.
“Sweet, shocking, intoxicating, and leaves a lingering impression long after it’s finished.” - Entertainment Weekly
“In director Rebecca Frecknall’s ravishing and mercilessly introspective production of the 1966 musical…no one is safe from the turmoil rattling their psyches.” - Variety
“By far the best version…The contrast between the celebratory pre-show and the tragedy that unfolds in the center ring is stark—and extremely moving.” - Pure Wow
Not all that glitters is gold, but Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club will certainly make you feel that way. Catch a glimpse of the August Wilson Theatre transformed into a den of hedonism where the drinks keep flowing and time comes to a standstill.
