Little Theatre stages classic 'Cabaret'

"Cabaret," the classic Kander and Ebb musical about Berlin in the shadow of the Third Reich, will be presented by the Little Theatre of Fall River as its final subscription show of the 63rd season. The show will be presented at 8 tonight through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday.

All performances will be in the Margaret L. Jackson Arts Center at Bristol Community College on Elsbree Street, Fall River.

"Cabaret" evokes the bizarre atmosphere of Berlin when the Nazis were breaking the thin crust of a dream world. "Welcome to Berlin," sings the fiendish Master of Ceremonies through painted lips as the people of 1929 Berlin join in. The audience fills the Kit Kat Club, a cabaret containing a cross-section of Berlin nightlife: the dreamers of a doomed city.

Habitués of this world include Sally Bowles, a second-rate singer who lives life moment by moment; Cliff Bradshaw, a poor American writer looking for inspiration for his second novel; and Ernst Ludwig, a Berliner who appears to be in the smuggling business.

These characters are contrasted against Fraulein Schneider's rooming house, which contains its own microcosm of Berlin, including Fraulein Kost, a prostitute. Schneider is courted by Herr Schultz, a Jewish widower who owns a local fruit shop.

"It is the glory of 'Cabaret,'" wrote critic Richard Watts in The New York Post, "that it can upset you while it gives theatrical satisfaction. It is disturbing, provocative, meaningful, believable and highly entertaining."

The musical is based on the play "I Am a Camera" by John Van Druten from stories by Christopher Isherwood. Its book is by Joe Masteroff, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb.

The show opened Nov. 20, 1966 at the Broadhurst Theatre, where it played for 1,165 performances. The Academy Award-winning 1972 film version starred Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey.

The Little Theatre production is directed by James Tavares Jr. Jane Fiore Bigelow is musical director of the show, with Janice MacDonald as choreographer. The production is stage managed by Debbie Pelletier.

Mr. Tavares sees a universal significance in this production. "We hope to address the timely issue of hate-crimes existing throughout the world," said Mr. Tavares, "especially of those in our own community."

Little Theatre's production of "Cabaret" stars Jaimie Raposa as Sally Bowles, John Ashley as Cliff, and Brian McCann as the Master of Ceremonies. Janice MacDonald plays the role of Fraulein Schneider, with Ron Robinson as Herr Schultz. Supporting cast members include Pamela Wilkinson as Fraulein Kost and Bruce Kullander as Ernst.

Single tickets are $15. Discounts are available for students, seniors, and groups of 20 or more.

For reservations and information, call the Little Theatre box office at (508) 675-1852.

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Photo by John Baptista
Brian McCann, who portrays the Master of Ceremonies in "Cabaret" is flanked by cast members Loralee LeVesque and Jerysha White. The Little Theater of Fall River production opens tonight at BCC.