Revolving Emcee's in CABARET question

Posted: 7/28/03 at 4:51pm

I was just listening to the New Broadway Cd with Alan Cumming and I came across the part where he says "Bobby and Victor! Victor and Bobby, you know there's only one way to tel the difference, I'll show you later" then he grabs their crotches and compares then proclaims, "That's Victor!"

Well I know Alan Cumming did this ofcourse because he originated that. It wasn't in the Joel Grey productions. It certainly was in the first national tour when Leo Norburt Butz did it. But stars like John Secada, Neil Patrick Harris and John Stamos are stepping into the roles. Do these actors have to do the infamous "That's Victor!"? I couldn't see John Secada grabbing their crotches, since he isn't in Musical Theatre they might be a little weirded out by that and have that section by-passed. Why not? Since Melanie can have all the Roxie dances dumbed down for her.

And How about the KickLine, or "I Don't Care Much" In drag, or the mooning at the end of ACT I??? I dunno just asking. Updated On: 7/28/03 at 04:51 PM

[DavidMegg]

Posted: 7/28/03 at 5:18pm

I saw John Stamos and Molly Ringwald, and John certainly did go for the pickle on Victor, and with great vigor!!!
Obviously, he's straight, so I guess it's just an actor BEING his part!!!!
I can't speak on the others...
d.

Posted: 7/28/03 at 5:19pm

the pickle? did i miss something? lol

[DavidMegg]

Posted: 7/28/03 at 5:24pm

lol... you know what I mean! He went for the crotch...the pickle...the snake...the bird... RobAG... I don't need to go on do I???!!!

Posted: 7/28/03 at 5:25pm

Oh, lol, I see, I thought the actor of Victor stuffed himself which a pickle, lol.

So John Stamos made the effort, how about Neil PAtrick Harris, Joh Secada, Raul Esparza... and about the other things, Mooning???

[BudFrump23]

Posted: 7/28/03 at 5:52pm

Neil Patrick Harris did it all!

Posted: 7/28/03 at 5:57pm

Well that's good, at least they are considering themselves actors, and not lowering standards of performance.

So, Neil and Stamos did it, what about Secada? Prolly not.
But then again I guess it's not that bad, it's not like these actors are suddenly jumping into "Take Me Out" lol, now that's a stretch.

It was a REAL stretch when Stanley Stucci was nude for Franky And Johnny, talk about famous actor crossing over to theatre then breaking that line. But I guess it's different, since he's actually a GOOD actor, lol. Updated On: 7/28/03 at 05:57 PM

[PJ]

Posted: 7/28/03 at 9:11pm

Raul Esparza did it when I saw the show in December.

[Becky]

Posted: 7/28/03 at 11:23pm

Jon Secada also plays that scene...um...in the way described

[cabarethed]

Posted: 7/28/03 at 11:28pm

Nothing has changed with the role really...everyone does the original choreography and movement.

[LiTtLeDaNcEr729]

Posted: 7/28/03 at 11:30pm

Ooo Cabaret....the memories- 9 years old...I think it scarred me for life. Hahaha- nah- I love Cabaret.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/29/03 at 3:34am

"Neil Patrick Harris did it all"

That is what I have heard.

Oh, do you mean on stage?

[BudFrump23]

Posted: 7/29/03 at 9:47am

Well, yes, of course...that goes without saying...

Posted: 7/29/03 at 4:32pm

lol, I just thought that when STARS were brought in to play the parts that they would have a say in some of the choreography and grabbing a fellow actor's crotch night after night might not be john secada's favorite point of the evening, lol.

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 7/29/03 at 5:15pm

I don't think it's up to them. It seems like they shouldn't get a choice. If it's part of the show, leave it!

[Broadwaylady]

Posted: 7/29/03 at 5:15pm

Caberethed should know about the show she has seen it many times. I would like to see again with performers I enjoy before it closes.

Posted: 7/29/03 at 5:28pm

Well I know but stars like Melanie Griffith and Toni Braxton can change things. So why can't a respectable straight male star refuse to moon and grab some guys crotch, lol. Updated On: 7/29/03 at 05:28 PM

[cabarethed]

Posted: 7/29/03 at 11:39pm

Because it's the freakin Emcee...you can't be an Emcee without doing sexually explicit things for both men and women...it's just.not.the.role if you don't! The whole role is drenched in sexuality. I don't care how big a star you are, don't do it if you can't handle it! If I go and see an actor NOT grab Bobby or Victor or NOT mime fisting and the like behind the scrim, I'm going to be pissed. This is the character...sleazy rent boy in the midst of decadent Berlin, where pretty much anything goes. Yeah it may not be Michael Hall or John Stamos or Jon Secada's particular favorite part of the show, but it's called ACTING, and they have the guts to go bare themselves, literally and figuratively. The WHOLE show is thrown off balance if we don't have an Emcee who does these acts with conviction, pleasure, and seduction. I hold onto faith that Mendes and Marshall wouldn't let their show go *that* much out of control.

[chasing_rainbows43]

Posted: 7/30/03 at 8:50am

Mooning the audience in the act 1 finale and grabbing "Bobby" and "Victor" are rather integral to the show, if you think about it. I don't really think you could change much of "Wilkommen" and have it be as effective in setting up absolutely everything. And the mooning....well...Yeah that's a pretty heavy sentiment there, I doubt it could be altered.

[tthomas76]

Posted: 7/31/03 at 7:43am

My wife and I will be attending the matinee on August 31st. Will the Emcee still be John Secada?? From what I've heard I'm hoping he will already have left but not sure.

[cabarethed]

Posted: 7/31/03 at 9:57am

Lucky you, you're getting his final day!
(Although he'll probably extend, knowing Roundabout's enjoyment of torturing me once a year).

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 7/31/03 at 10:05am

I don't get why everyone hates Jon Secada. I loved him in the show! Maybe it was the fact that it was my first time seeing the show, but he was great!

[lensman55]

Posted: 8/1/03 at 8:16am

>lol, I just thought that when STARS were brought in to play >the parts that they would have a say in some of the >choreography and grabbing a fellow actor's crotch night after >night might not be john secada's favorite point of the >evening, lol.

No. That's just David Cassidy. (When he took over EFX, he had them change the entire storyline.)

[sondheimfreak]

Posted: 8/12/03 at 3:17pm

Can anyone explain to me why one of the "Two Ladies" was a man?

[JO125]

Posted: 8/12/03 at 3:51pm

OK, I am going to take a stab at the Two Ladies question, but I look forward to reading any other opinions.

I have always thought that since the Cabaret numbers are used to mirror or comment on the ongoing plot of the story, that having one of the ladies be a man was related to the Sally-Cliff-Bobby
relationships. In fact, the lady is played by Bobby in the number.

Anyone care to offer another opinion or expand on this?