Meine Damen and Helen! Prepare to be transported to the dazzling and decadent world of 1930s Berlin as Titusville Playhouse presents the iconic musical Cabaret. The show opens on Friday, April 19th and runs through May 12th.
Set in the shadow of impending political upheaval in pre-World War II Germany, Cabaret follows charismatic British cabaret singer Sally Bowles and American writer Cliff Bradshaw as they explore love, desire and political turmoil. It depicts the intertwined lives of each other as they overcome each other. Guided by a mysterious host at a seedy Kit Kat Club.
“'Cabaret' transports us to a time when the world seems to be thriving,” said program director Nico Stamos. “It’s filled with music and beautiful life.”
“But if you look through the cracks in the mirror, you see something deeper going on. The world was on the brink of war, and people's lives were about to be completely turned upside down,” he said. Ta.
With iconic music by John Kander and Fred Ebb and a book by Joe Masteroff, “Cabaret” has been hailed as an exploration of the fragile nature of freedom since its 1966 debut. The show remains relevant today as the world grapples with its own social and political challenges.
“What impresses me about 'Cabaret' is that it has remained relevant through the ages,” Stamos said. “The world we live in has changed, but many of the fundamental issues at hand still exist.”
Stamos chose to incorporate the cast as bystanders throughout the show.
“The big problem with the whole show is the song Fräulein Schneider sings, 'What would you do,' which I really want the audience to hear.” [to reflect] “By forcing the cast to watch the show, you're putting social pressure on the audience to be watched the entire time,” he said.
Jana Denning plays the challenging role of bubbly and vulnerable nightclub singer Sally Bowles. Opposite her Denning is Carson Skidmore, who plays Cliff Bradshaw, a serious writer caught up in Berlin's decadence.
No production of “Cabaret” would be complete without the captivating presence of the emcee, played by Jordyn Linkus in the Titusville production. With his dynamic stage presence and comic timing, Linkas functions as both an emcee and a provocateur.
“The cast I've gotten to work with over the past month has been amazing,” Stamos said. “They each brought their own authenticity to their roles and found humanity in each of their roles.”
The stage is designed to transport audiences to the decadent world of 1930s Berlin. The Titusville Playhouse production team brought Kit Kat His Club to life, drawing audiences into its enchanting embrace.
“We wanted the audience to walk into the building and feel like they were in the Kit Kat Club,” Stamos said. “Not only do we set up a stage further back from the audience seats, but we also sell VIP seats that are connected to the stage.”
“The Kit Kat Club scene is more open, while the rest of the scenes are in a tight space. From a visual standpoint, it's similar to the lines in a broken mirror,” he said. “The sets incorporate more modern elements, and there are some twists to the storytelling that will engage audiences.”
But beyond the glitz and glamor, “Cabaret” carries a poignant message about tolerance that resonates now more than ever. This show is more than just a musical, it explores a society on the brink of cataclysm. As the rise of the Nazi Party looms, the characters grapple with questions of self-satisfaction and morality.
Theater has the power to transport us to another time and place for a few hours of entertainment, but it can also be an opportunity to spark conversation and provoke thought. Stamos hopes the show will encourage viewers to embrace their own potential for change.
“My goal is that this starts a conversation and changes the way we see ourselves in the world,” he said. “We all have the potential to change our lives and be positive about change. It's whether we react or not. That's what matters.”
if you go
'cabaret'
where: Titusville Playhouse, 301 Julia Street, Titusville
when: Until May 12th Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm
ticket: Starting from $30
phone: 321-268-1125
Website: titusvilleplayhouse.com
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Christina LaFortune is FLORIDA TODAY's entertainment and TGIF editor. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/christinalafortune or email her. clafortune@floridatoday.com.
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