Cabaret returns to Studio 54

According to today's Riedel column, Roundabout will revive their revival of Cabaret with Alan Cumming at Studio 54, following the run of Sunday in the Park with George. "They're going back to the one show that worked really well in that space," says a source.

* Cumming back

The Roundabout Theater Company, a nonprofit institution that's acting more and more like the Weisslers, is bringing back its cash cow, "Cabaret," with Alan Cumming reprising his Tony-
winning turn as the creepy Emcee.

The 1998 production, which put director Sam Mendes and choreographer Rob Marshall on the map, will likely follow a revival of "Sunday in the Park With George" into Studio 54 next year.

"Cabaret" ran six years and, with its touring company, generated millions of dollars. The production debuted at the Kit Kat Klub on West 43rd Street and later transferred to Studio 54, which the Roundabout now owns.

But Studio 54 has been a tough place to book, and just about everything the theater's put there since "Cabaret" hasn't lasted long.

"They're going back to the one show that worked really well in that space," says a source.

But there's something not quite kosher about a theater that gets grants and tax breaks using that money to put up old productions.

Nonprofit theaters should take risks - that's why they're subsidized.

That the Roundabout usually does revivals is fine. It has been the company's mandate from the beginning. But those revivals should be restaged and rethought by exciting new directors, just as "Cabaret" was by the young Mendes nearly 10 years ago.

Bringing back "Cabaret" just to fill a theater, make some money and give Alan Cumming something to do is ridiculous. Then again, having seen the Roundabout's revival of "The Threepenny Opera" at Studio 54 last year, well, willkommen back, "Cabaret."

A Roundabout spokesman says: " 'Cabaret' was a huge artistic success. Reviving the show would allow new audiences to see it. And unlike the commercial theater, if the engagement made a profit, the money would go into other productions (seven-plus new stagings a year) and educational programs."
Cabaret returns

---

I saw the revival in two different tours and found it overall, thrilling, but it sorta feels too soon to me... I also get why some are upset that the Roundabout is bringing it back (I wonder if the current minor success of the London revival is playing a part?)

E

Can't agree with you more Paulyd! The current Ldn revival is HORRID and is just NOTHING compared to the Donmar production! If you guys don't want the revival on Broadway, maybe WE n Broadway can swap lol!

---

If this is true, then I cannot wait fast enough. After seeing Alan Cumming in Lincoln Center's Threepenny Opera video, I would gladly see him in anything.

---

I'm hardly a huge defender or fan of ROb Marshall but his contributions, and the other changes made from the DOnmar original production--if watching the UK televised version of that is any indication--really added a LOT to the work.

Still--most of the people I know who saw the current London revival--after, it seems having to get used to it have really liked it and I really like how it plays on CD.

Jewishboy--I dunno I sorta like Liza's "singing/beaming thru her sadness" approach but of course the movie is a very different animal to the play with different needs to its approaches (even if the Mendes/Marshall version burrows some from the movie). I still like a lot about the original Hal production too even if it seems almost hopelessly safe in many ways now that we're used to all the new versions.

Out of the two touring casts of the Mendes/Marshall I saw, Kate Shindle was surprisingly (all I knew of her at the time was she was a Miss America) wonderful. However I actually think Cliff, who's STILL underwritten even in the Mendes script, is the truly challenging role to cast well.

"Wonder when the casting rumors for Sally Bowles will start, or is Richardson expected to reprise her Tony-winning performance as well?"

Richardson's schedule wouldn't permit her to return to the role anytime soon (nor would she want to.)

---

Paulyd you are right

The London Cabaret was very average compared to the mendes version

---

I kept reading this thinking "Its a joke, it has to be a joke." In any case, I loved Cabaret, I saw it more times than I would like to admit. But Bringing it back to studio 54 is absurd. Especially now that they took out the Kit Kat Klub tables and put in standard seating. And I would also doubt that Alan Cumming would ever consider reviving his role.

---

If this happens, I want to see Jane Krakowski as Sally. Her performance of Don't Tell Mama at Broadway Under The Stars left me wanting to see her take on the role.

---

I love Jane Krakowski, but I definitely agree. Not at all right for Sally.

I dunno, I see this as a "Fundraiser" for Roundabout. They could sell candy bars to fund their productions, but since this works so well, why not? I missed Alan first time around (But I was very glad to have seen Norbert in the role) and would love to get a chance to see him...."Maybe this time...."

It really is pretty random of Roundabout to consider bringing this back, especially since it has only been a few years since the original incarnation of the revival closed, but hell, I sure am grateful that I will finally get to see Alan Cumming in one of my favorite roles in one of my favorite musicals.

---

As random as this is, if it turns out to be true I'll be the happiest girl in the world. I remember crying for four days straight when I was on vacation in NYC in 1998 and my parents refused to let me see Cabaret. Granted I was 12 at the time so looking back (and now having seen the show) I totally understand. Finally though, I'll be able to see my favorite performer in my favorite show.

---