A sleek 'Cabaret' on tap at Little Theatre

By Richard Pacheco, Standard-Times correspondent

The Little Theatre of Fall River's production of "Cabaret" is smart and saucy, sleek and full of robust zest.

The tale is set in 1929-30 Berlin and based on the play "I Am a Camera" by John van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood. It revolves around a young American writer, the dance hall girl he meets and the rise of Nazi power with its chilling effect on lives.

The Master of Ceremonies, the role made famous by Joel Grey, is brought vividly to life with a sassy portrayal by Brian McCann. With fluid movements, he captures decadence and style with verve. He sings with cheekiness and sizzle, skirting the outrageous with venomous wit. His "Wilkommen" is raucous and decadent in just the right doses.

John Ashley portrays Clifford Bradshaw, the young writer. Mr. Ashley is full of zest, a mixture of innocence and conviction. He's poised and awkward by turns as the role requires. His duet with Jaimie Rapoza, who depicts Sally Bowles, is rich and poised. In "Why Should I Wake Up?" he's winning.

Ms. Raposa is a sleek and saucy as the nightclub chanteuse who enchants Bradshaw. She is dazzling, a blend of seduction and hidden regrets. She sings with fervor and style, her voice rich and elegant. Her rendition of "Cabaret" is a showstopper with everything just right. She shines in her other songs as well, such as "Don't Tell Mama," and her duet with Mr. Ashley, "Perfectly Marvelous."

Bruce Kullander is Bradshaw's mysterious friend, the first he meets on his German journey, Ernst Ludwig. Mr. Kullander is polished and crisp as the somewhat vague and yet helpful German.

Janice MacDonald delivers a delightful performance as Fraulein Schneider. She is a mixture of the practical and the hopeful, playing the role with flair and sincerity, and singing with poise and vigor.

Ron Robinson is Herr Schultz, a kind greengrocer with a warm spot for Fraulein Schneider. Mr. Robinson is sympathetic and engaging.

The rest of the large cast glides across the stage with fluidity and style, adding often elegant if decadent touches, bits and pieces of mood and atmosphere in the right touches.

James Tavares Jr.'s directing is glossy and poised. He keeps the pace gliding effortlessly along and handles the shifts in tone and mood, from the silly to the somber and serious, with flair. He keeps the large cast rollicking along.

Jane Fiore-Bigelow's musical direction is brisk and dashing. It sails along vibrantly.

Ms. MacDonald's choreography is impertinent and saucy, just right for the decadent mood of "Cabaret."

It is a smart, energetic production, full of spirit and fine performances. There are nice touches throughout and some stunning lead performances. The players shift its mood from the almost lascivious to the touching to the chilling with equal fervor.

It will be presented again at 8 tonight and at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Margaret L. Jackson Arts Center Theater at BCC, Elsbree Street, Fall River.

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