CABARET – Book by Joe Masteroff; Music by John Kander; Lyrics by Fred Ebb; Directed and Choreographed by Kelly Van Oosbree; Music Direction by Bonnie Simcox. Produced by Platte Valley Players (presented at The Armory, 300 Strong Street, Brighton) through Oct 19. Tickets available at plattevalleyplayers.org.
Any passionate play-goer worth their salt probably sees this show at least once every few years. We all know the story of Sally and Cliff, the young lovers; Fraulein Schneider and Herr Schultz, the younger lover; and the puppeteer Emcee pulling the strings. No point in explaining the story that you already know. I will barely mention how relevant the story seems this year and this month.
It remains only to tell you about the cast you will see creating these familiar characters. Director Kelly Van Oosbree has gained a reputation for putting way-above-average productions together, attracting the best performers, creating tightly synchronized dancing ensembles, devising creative ways of adding to while telling the story, and building a village with people who can’t wait to work with her again. Every Van Oosbree show is carefully designed with no detail overlooked.
This is really Sally’s story. In Abby Kochevar, the director has found a dancer whose every move, with or without music, is a statement in grace and confidence. Even with Sally’s facade of a devil-may-care showgirl from England in pre-Nazi Germany, you still get flashes of the fear underneath. An early hint is her admission to Cliff (Tyler Strickland) after she has bulled her way into his flat that she was terrified that he would not let her stay. Such a poignant tone to her confession of needing to be needed. As time passes and a sort of love blooms, the audience still detects her insecurity, her fear of the future, and her hesitancy to commit. At a pivotal point, she must face who she is and what it is she has with Cliff. As the emcee sings “I Don’t Care Much,” her path to a decision is written across her face as tears roll down her cheeks.
The same is true of Jeffrey Parker as the Emcee. Aware but unbothered by the coming troubles. “What does it have to do with me?” Being too smart to believe his own declarations, he seeks to solidify his safety by playing the game. He includes anti-Jewish songs and jokes in his cabaret and becomes the gayest (as in fun-loving) guy on the block. But still in the slight hesitations that creep into his dialogue, in his forlorn looks out into the audience, we learn that he knows what’s happening. This doesn’t keep the stunned “What happened?” look off his face when the end comes.
Juxtaposed against the story of fated love is played a corresponding story of two older people who have found a late-in-life joy with a little schnapps and a little fruit. Joel Silverman and Jennifer Burnett bring smiles and tears with the predicament of a German citizen depending on government permission for her livelihood loving a Jewish (while also German) shopkeeper. Jennifer’s rendition of “What Would You Do?” – a most difficult story song – is one of the best I’ve heard. Joel’s pleading to her breaks his heart and yours.
The supporting cast of Kit Kat Boys and Girls provide strong backup for the novelty club songs. Adam Luhrs is a suitably smarmy Ernst; Sarah Kit Farrell is a hoot as a horny and hard-working Fraulein Kost.
The Armory provides a perfect space for the action with the 15-piece Kit Kat Band on the stage behind a glittery curtain and the area in front of the stage easily becoming a dance floor, Cliff’s humble room, Fraulein Schneider’s flat, and all the other locales required. The glittering marquee designed by Arvada Center’s Brian Mallgrave creates a false sense of gaiety and class. The proceedings are greatly enhanced by the lighting design of Mandy Heath augmented by multiple follow spots and a very light fog that moved the whole picture out of reality. The pretty costumes designed by Nicole Harrison are almost too nice for the occasion. My thought was that Victor, the club owner, must be doing very well to afford such pretty outfits for the dancers.
It’s only about a 20-minute drive to Brighton. Lots of great restaurants up and down Bridge Street. You won’t regret a trip north to see this accomplished cast and beautiful production.
A WOW factor of 8.75!!