Ernst Ludwig in Cabaret ?

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 9/1/05 at 5:51pm

I was recently re-reading the script for Cabaret - and I was curious ... In casting the role of Ernst, what (if any specific) type would be appropriate?

Could he be more of a leading man look?

A younger character man?

I was thinking it could almost be an actor of any type, so long as he is charismatic early on and later reveals a dark side... true?

Etc.?

Thanks for any help.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 9/1/05 at 7:01pm

I played Ernst at Stagedoor Manor with Natalie Portman as Sally. My claim to fame. Whoo-hoo. Man, that was almost a decade ago...

Anyway, I think I got the part because I'm very "Aryan" looking. I'm tall and have blond hair (well, it's more of a "dirty blond" now). I'm kind of half-way in between "character actor" and "romantic leading man" types.

It's interesting how the role has been cast over the years. The original way back when was Edward Winters, who was blond and good-looking...then the revival had Dennis O'Hare. The tour of the revival when I saw it had a tall, Edward Winters-like actor playing Ernst.

The type of actor cast really depends on the director's (or casting director's) take on the role. When Dennis O'Hare played him, he was kind of this bumbling, socially-awkward nerd who seemed to turn to the Nazis as a means to acceptance. Then the guy I saw on the tour played him as more like a stereotypical Nazi--very in control, commanding, but with a young innocence. Then there's me...I was only thirteen, so I don't know what the hell I did!

I personally really liked Dennis O'Hare's approach--he brought a lot of depth to it. He was so likable that it made the party scene, when he first displays his Nazi armband, all the more shocking.

[cabarethed]

Posted: 9/1/05 at 7:36pm

In The Berlin Stories (the semi-autobiography Cabaret was based on), the character of Mr Norris is the inspiration for Ernst. He's a very shy, and jittery little man. He's still charming through the awkwardness, and the darkness definitely emerges later on. I never got to see Denis O'Hare, but I thought Martin Moran was the best Ernst in the revival. He was just so slight, cute and awkward, but his transformation by Tomorrow Belongs to Me is downright chilling.

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 9/1/05 at 8:07pm

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Keep 'em coming.

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 9/1/05 at 10:55pm

I played Ernst in College and I think that the "charismatic early on and later reveals a dark side" approach is weak!

My goal in the show was to be a REAL person, make people like me, so that when the turn happens they themselves can't believe it. I had a Jewish woman come up to me after the show and tell me that she felt so sorry for Ernst because he really thought that what he was doing was right. When Cliff punches him he really doesn't understand why. He helped Cliff out in Berlin, they were freinds and know he doesn't know what's going on. It's not only Cliff and Sally's world that is changing!

IMHO This is a better approach. Everyone is a victim EVEN the Nazis.

Updated On: 9/1/05 at 10:55 PM

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 9/2/05 at 1:03am

Interesting.

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 9/2/05 at 5:04am

BUMP