Sometimes, when life is good, people forget to pay attention to the dirge playing right around the corner. Drinks are flowing, debauchery is at its worst and the world goes by. So it was in Berlin, Germany, when the Nazi party ripped friends away from friends, destroyed communities, education, religious freedom, art, honest media, music and the good life. The stench of concentration camps stretched across Europe, and fear gripped the moral codes of those who would survive. Jews, Gypsies and the mentally ill were hauled away from their homes, and horrified neighbors and friends stood by, and hoped they wouldn't be next.
The Kit Kat Klub, in downtown Berlin, is a metaphor for the wild and free life that existed prior to the blitzkrieg; all were welcome, and an anything goes atmosphere dripped from the stage lights of the glorified entertainer, Sally Bowles (Stella Beardsley). When an American writer named Clifford Bradshaw (Antonio Brooks) enters her life and the lives of her neighbors, he begins to realize what is happening in Germany and desperately wants to get her out of the country. Unfortunately, what he begins to witness falls on deaf ears and the neighborhood, as Fraulein Schneider (Isabella Hanu) and Herr Schultz (Roger Christman) are forced apart because they are of Jewish descent. The growing political tension finds Ernst Ludwig (Mike Foster,), a seemingly friendly German, who is actually a smuggler, develops a friendship with the American writer. While he is absorbing all the changes going on in Berlin, some are still oblivious to the creeping Fascist Regime. One such character is Fritzi Kost (Megan Bramer,) a dancer and lady of the night, at the Kit Kat Klub, who is also a boarding house neighbor of Fraulein Schneider. She does what she must to survive, and although others may look down upon her profession, they refuse to see what is happening in their country.
The main character, the emcee (Issak Simeon) embodies the decadent and increasingly dangerous atmosphere of 1930's Berlin. He acts as both entertainer and commentator, while reflecting, through his performances, the encroaching political chaos. His dark humor envelops both the evil that exists in current day society and the escalating danger of what stands looming outside the Kit Kat Klub's door. His own vulnerability and despair demonstrate someone, who understands what is happening in his beloved country, but despite his warnings, through song and dance, is unable to convince his friends and fellow workers of the treachery and extreme evil that awaits.
Heralded as one of the most factual musicals, regarding Berlin's turmoil, just prior to the Nazi invasion, Cabaret stands as a metaphor of people's inability or desire to see what is right in front of their eyes.
This year's musical, proudly brought to our communities by Timothy Murphy Playhouse, now in its 30th year, is perhaps the most difficult musical attempted by this theater group, given the talent needed to sustain all the roles. The music is riveting, the dances and costumes are reflective of a 1930's cabaret, the orchestra is amazing and each and every actor/actress is phenomenal. It will be presented Saturday August 2nd and Sunday (two showings) at 2 pm and 7 pm in the Middleburgh Central School auditorium.
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