CABARET at the Kit Kat Club (2024) Opening Night Critics' Reviews- Page 9

[Ke3]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 7:10pm

As a Black person and a director, my question when it comes to color blind casting, is why Cliff? There is more depth to be found in th subtext by casting a person of any other race as Sally or the Emcee. They are both figures who by ignoring the world around them are ignoring their own interests (if we entertain the idea that th Emcee is real). There *were* Black performers who like many Jewish families found themselves leaving Berlin when it was almost too late or stuck in prisons/camps because they didn't desire to leave Berlin to return to America. A Sally who doesn't want to go back home where they don't want her. An Emcee willing to dance with a new devil because he's already familiar with his own. These are interesting ideas. A Black Cliff? That's nothing. That says nothing. 

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 7:25pm

Poor Gayle Rankin is, I’m sure, doing exactly what the director told her to do. There is no reason to speculate that she will be replaced prior to her scheduled departure date. Some of the reviews have even commented on how they think she could have been a better Sally if she was allowed to play the role without so much directorial mismanagement.

[Peppa222]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 7:26pm

"Will the Emcee/Sally alternates starting in June come from the existing cast's understudies, or should we be expecting 2 new additions?"

I believe they're in-cast. I know Marty Lauter (aka Marcia Marcia Marcia from RuPaul's Drag Race) announced they are the Emcee alternate for Mondays on Instagram when the cast was revealed. They play Victor normally.

Not sure about Sally. 

Updated On: 4/22/24 at 07:26 PM

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 7:30pm

Ok, I didn't realize Marty had announced that already. Thanks. I know Gabi Campo and Paige Smallwood are the Sally understudies, so it might be one of them.

[Sara904]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 7:39pm

CoffeeBreak said: "Sara904 said: "With this, I think Merrily might as well have that Tony engraved now, and Jonathan Groff too seems to be squarely in the lead for Best Actor, though it seems like Bebe Neuwirth might be pulling ahead for Featured Actress (or at least in direct competition with Lindsay Mendez)."

Do you think Daniel Radcliffe is still the frontrunner in Best Featured Actor?

Ricky Ubeda from Illinoise gave a wonderful, yet silently heartbreaking, performance. Illinoise may surprise in some nominations and wins.

"

But Illinoise is a dance musical with an ensemble cast, one actor that doesn't have dialogue and his role isn't single out can really upset one actor from the biggest critical and commercial hit of the season?

 

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 8:14pm

Marty uses they/them pronouns out of drag. 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 8:15pm

CarlosAlberto said: "The critics saw right through the smoke and mirrors of this production. It's trying to be "cool and edgy". It is neither. I'm glad Neuwirth and Skybell escaped the mess unscathed.

Auf Wiedersehen, Cabaret.

This show needs a serious rest."

It does not need a serious rest.  It is a masterpiece, and masterpieces sometimes are given bad productions (think King Lear a few seasons ago).  

i have to say that I have had no interest in seeing this production since viewing many photos from the London production.  The pictures were so over-the-top, and I doubted that a small Cabaret theatre would ever afford the elaborate costumes, i.e., it was going for unrealistic garish over something resembling realism..  I honestly thought 'style over substance' and decided that I would wait for the reviews, especially given those prices.  While I happen to like Eddie Redmayne, I didn't believe that I NEEDED to see his interpretation.  After reading the reviews, I doubt that I will ever see this particular production.  Mind you, I only get to NYC 2 / 3 times a year and am limited in the number of performances I can see, somewhere between 15 and 20.  I doubt I will want to use a valuable 'slot' for this...unless it lowers its prices and starts giving Thursday or Friday matinees.

[Peppa222]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 8:48pm

TaffyDavenport said: "Ok, I didn't realize Marty had announced that already. Thanks. I know Gabi Campo and Paige Smallwood are the Sally understudies, so it might beone of them."

I just went back to look at Marty's post and the caption was edited and now reads "Victor, Emcee u/s" so maybe I misspoke.

[Azúcar!]

Posted: 4/22/24 at 10:35pm

MemorableUserName said: "Gayle Rankin Takes Center Stage

After years of flirting with mainstream success, the character actress takes the spotlight in Cabaret.

https://www.thecut.com/article/gayle-rankin-cabaret-house-of-the-dragon-interview.html

After the immersive/not immersive debate yesterday, I keep noticing how many times the show is described that way, as with here:

"Director Rebecca Frecknall’s restaging of Cabaret, which chronicles the apathy that infected Weimar-era Berlin leading up to World War II, is unusually immersive: The audience is beckoned into the August Wilson Theatre with a shot of schnapps and tableside bottle service.""

They are totally going for immersive. I mean, there are no Nazis coming to your table and beating you up. That’s only going on at Columbia University.  but they’re definitely attempting to create an inner world in there.


 

[Wick3]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 12:11am

Ke3 said: "As a Black person and a director, my question when it comes to color blind casting, is why Cliff? There is more depth to be found in th subtext by casting a person of any other race as Sally or the Emcee. They are both figures who by ignoring the world around them are ignoring their own interests (if we entertain the idea that th Emcee is real). There *were* Black performers who like many Jewish families found themselves leaving Berlin when it was almost too late or stuck in prisons/camps because they didn't desire to leave Berlin to return to America. A Sally who doesn't want to go back home where they don't want her. An Emcee willing to dance with a new devil because he's already familiar with his own. These are interesting ideas. A Black Cliff? That's nothing. That says nothing."

There’s a black majority in terms of population in Harrisburg, PA. Quote below from a Guardian article published late 2021: https://amp.theguardian.com/stage/2021/nov/18/omari-douglas-after-its-a-sin-ive-realised-that-i-was-always-supported-for-who-i-was

“Director Rebecca Frecknall has opted to portray Cliff, usually written as bisexual, as queer-identifying. As a Black actor taking on the role – also a rarity – Douglas is not nervous about such changes. “We’ve had those conversations about what nuances I as a Black actor will bring to the role, but it doesn’t feel like I’m having to work too hard to make it make sense,” he says. “Cliff is from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, which was and still is a predominantly African American community; it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that there could have been a Black man who has come from America to Berlin to find himself and his identity.”

[Kad]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 1:02am

Wick3 said: "Ke3 said: "As a Black person and a director, my question when it comes to color blind casting, is why Cliff? There is more depth to be found in th subtext by casting a person of any other race as Sally or the Emcee. They are both figures who by ignoring the world around them are ignoring their own interests (if we entertain the idea that th Emcee is real). There *were* Black performers who like many Jewish families found themselves leaving Berlin when it was almost too late or stuck in prisons/camps because they didn't desire to leave Berlin to return to America. A Sally who doesn't want to go back home where they don't want her. An Emcee willing to dance with a new devil because he's already familiar with his own. These are interesting ideas. A Black Cliff? That's nothing. That says nothing."

There’s a black majority in terms of population in Harrisburg, PA. Quote below from a Guardian article published late 2021:https://amp.theguardian.com/stage/2021/nov/18/omari-douglas-after-its-a-sin-ive-realised-that-i-was-always-supported-for-who-i-was

“Director Rebecca Frecknall has opted to portray Cliff, usually written as bisexual, as queer-identifying. As a Black actor taking on the role – also a rarity – Douglas is not nervous about such changes. “We’ve had those conversations about what nuances I as a Black actor will bring to the role, but it doesn’t feel like I’m having to work too hard to make it make sense,” he says. “Cliff is from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, which was and still is a predominantly African American community; it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that there could have been a Black man who has come from America to Berlin to find himself and his identity.”"

Cliff can be Black and be ignorant of the world he’s stepping into. That world, however, cannot be ignorant of him. 

Updated On: 4/23/24 at 01:02 AM

[CreatureKitchen]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 1:03am

I don't think anyone is questioning whether a black man from Harrisburg going to Berlin to find himself makes sense. That makes perfect sense, and there was a diverse array of foreigners coming to Berlin at that time. The big leap is Cliff's relationship with Ernst. Why would Ernst, a Nazi, not only immediately befriend a black man with no reservations, but also trust him with important errands and information? Why would he allow himself to be taught English by Cliff, who he would almost certainly see as intellectually beneath him? And why would he make an effort to remain friends with Cliff even after Cliff finds out he's a Nazi? After all, Cliff isn't a prospect to join the party.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 10:42am

CreatureKitchen said: "I don't think anyone is questioning whether a black man from Harrisburg going to Berlin to find himself makes sense. That makes perfect sense, and there was a diverse array of foreigners coming to Berlin at that time. The big leap is Cliff's relationship with Ernst. Why would Ernst, a Nazi, not only immediately befriend a black man with no reservations, but also trust him with important errands and information? Why would he allow himself to be taught English by Cliff, who he would almost certainly see intellectually beneath him? And why would he make an effort to remain friends with Cliff even after Cliff finds out he's a Nazi? After all, Cliff isn't a prospect to join the party."

This is another reason this production is so woefully misguided in its attempt to be "edgy". FAIL.

[MrsSallyAdams]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 11:10am

Ernst considers Cliff gullible and (in modern adaptations) is sexually attracted to him. The casting adds some questions but the basic motivation is still there.

[Feidlimid]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 11:16am

CreatureKitchen said: "I don't think anyone is questioning whether a black man from Harrisburg going to Berlin to find himself makes sense. That makes perfect sense, and there was a diverse array of foreigners coming to Berlin at that time. The big leap is Cliff's relationship with Ernst. Why would Ernst, a Nazi, not only immediately befriend a black man with no reservations, but also trust him with important errands and information? Why would he allow himself to be taught English by Cliff, who he would almost certainly see as intellectually beneath him? And why would he make an effort to remain friends with Cliff even after Cliff finds out he's a Nazi? After all, Cliff isn't a prospect to join the party."

Ernst is also very happy to hang with the 'degenerates' at the Kit Kat Club. You'd think he'd stay far away and not sully himself by association. He also uses inkling or knowledge about Cliff's sexuality more than once to coerce/manipulate him. Why would he forgo an opportunity to get a naive American carry out his smuggling, and make things easier, which matters more for helping further his Nazi agenda? It's not like Nazis did not manage to get Jews themselves to participate in their own extermination by appointing them as admin Kapos in camps, a means to an end. Nazi hatred ran most vehement for Jews first and foremost. He has no problem turning to violence immediately at Cliff's denial of carrying out further smuggling. The very point of the story is that Cliff doesn't ask questions about who the smuggling serves and Ernst never tells him, until that reveal.

Anyhow, this whole thread reads pretty toxic, and I don't know why. Going to check out of reading about this production now, but just saw this interview with Blankson-Wood about his role, if anyone wants his perspective. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/ato-blankson-wood-cabaret-clifford-bradshaw-rcna148092

Updated On: 4/23/24 at 11:16 AM

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 11:42am

All of these explanations are persuasive. Alas, none of what everyone is talking about is portrayed in this show (at least at the performance I attended in London with an unbelievably inept actor as Cliff). I was looking for the sexual attraction Ludwig has for Cliff (as explored in the Mendes production) but if it was subtext, it was buried 10 feet underground. 

A Nazi sexually fetishizing a black man while also thinking him dumb enough to be an effective patsy is...certainly a choice. And one that could potentially prove fruitful. It's just that this wasn't what happened in this production. Maybe I'm misremembering. An audience puked the night I saw it and they had to stop the show and bring out paper towels and mops while the people being me kept saying 'Oh god...are we going to smell it???' So...maybe I was a little distracted and missed all this subtext. 

[inception]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 11:50am

SonofRobbieJ said: "An audiencepuked the night I saw it and they had to stop the show and bring out paper towels and mops 

That seems like something that would have happen regularly at a real Kit Kat Klub.  Truly immersive theatre!

 

[lopside]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 11:51am

He talks about boys 'calling you' when persuading him to go to the club. Later, he gets right in Cliff's face and suggestively talks about 'making a large whoopie, perhaps you and I only'.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 12:04pm

lopside said: "He talks about boys 'calling you' when persuading him to go to the club. Later, he gets right in Cliff's face and suggestively talks about 'making a large whoopie, perhaps you and I only'."

I remember thinking of that moment 'He's just kidding. This isn't a serious come on.' But...again...the puke. It was really quite distracting. 

[Feidlimid]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 12:22pm

Said I wasn't going to post, but the post popped up again, this time with bigots attached, so I thought why casting a Black man who sounds the alarm to others in a story about hatred, might matter. 

https://twitter.com/NBCNews/status/1782794128411046286

[Bette's Turban]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 12:32pm

I just hate when discussions stop because someone is clutching their pearls.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 12:54pm

The fact that the Cliff understudies have been cast with other non-Black POC--both understudies here are Latino; London had Latino and Asian understudies--would seem to indicate that Cliff being a Black man is not key to this production, or Rebecca Frecknall believes all POC are interchangeable. 

[CreatureKitchen]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 1:11pm

See, this discussion is why I’d love a major production to cast a POC as the Emcee or Sally. Nazis were more than happy to use marginalized people as entertainment, such as watching them perform at a club (at least until they grew in power and shut down those clubs). Just like they were happy to acknowledge the athleticism of black Olympians (because it allowed them to exoticize those people and draw a distinction between them and the Aryans).

 

And to MemorableUserName’s point, I don’t think Frecknall is saying all POC are interchangeable. However, she’s certainly making a statement with Cliff *always* being a POC and Sally and the Emcee *always* being white. 

[butlervyer]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 1:27pm

Did Rebecca Frecknall ever push you in the streets MemorableUsername? The animus has been very pointed and persistent now. 

An understudy who may never go on for a role, especially when it's Cliff, clearly the focus would be on finding the most able ensemble member who could also play the part if ever called upon, but I don't tend to read the worst of intentions or lack of care in people actions everytime. 

And I would think the Sally and Emcee being white would help make it clear about privilege that allows one ignorance or opportunism. 

Updated On: 4/23/24 at 01:27 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 4/23/24 at 3:24pm

Feidlimid said: "Said I wasn't going to post, but the post popped up again, this time with bigots attached, so I thought why casting a Black man who sounds the alarm to others in a story about hatred, might matter.

https://twitter.com/NBCNews/status/1782794128411046286

"

What bigots? Were posts deleted?