The Female Emcee

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 4/2/09 at 6:18pm

Supposebly there has been a female Emcee in Cabaret. I have looked EVERYWHERE for info and pics and can't find ANYTHING, does someone have any pictures or information on this mysterious female Emcee.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 4/2/09 at 6:19pm

Here is a rare, unverified picture of the mysterious, supposed female Emcee.

Updated On: 4/2/09 at 06:19 PM

[Byron Abens]

Posted: 4/2/09 at 6:23pm

I know it's been done in at least a handful of college productions, and I'm sure there have been some community theatres that have done it as well. I don't think it has been done in any major regional stagings.

I've heard the concept kicked about, but I really can't picture it working myself. But then again I'm not as big on the whole gender reversal of roles that is so popular (I personally think the idea of man playing Lady Bracknell in drag really doesn't add much to The Importance of Being Earnest, and just deprives a great comic actress the chance to really shine).

[Jane2]

Posted: 4/2/09 at 6:28pm

"Supposebly there has been a female Emcee in Cabaret"

???

[choitoy]

Posted: 4/3/09 at 2:15pm

The first Vienna cast of Cabaret had a female emcee back in 1970. There is a cast album made with Blanche Aubry in the role. It's an interesting listen, especially since it is in German.

Interestingly enough, they keep the song "Zwei Ladies" ("Two Ladies") as is, so I don't know if it they made it a woman playing a man or a woman in drag as a man.

If you want to give it a listen, the 1970 Vienna Cast album of Cabaret is on US iTunes(!!!) Go into the link below, and find the little iTunes icon for the iTunes link (I'm at work right now and I can't post a link directly into iTunes)

http://www.castalbums.org/recordings/1871

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/3/09 at 2:21pm

A woman has never played the Emcee in any Broadway incarnation of CABARET. Not the original 1966 Broadway production. Not even the 1987 nor 1998 revival.

It could possibly be that you many be confusing the original Off-Broadway run of HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH where a woman DID play the role of Hedwig for a short run. That woman was Ally Sheedy.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/3/09 at 2:29pm

First - supposedly.

Brody, I don't think the OP was limiting his or her query to Broadway productions. They aren't the only ones that count.

OP, I know people have posted about being in/seeing productions where the Emcee was played by a woman. Do a search, you should find a handful of threads.

Updated On: 4/3/09 at 02:29 PM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/3/09 at 3:49pm

Edward Hibbert was pure genius as Lady Bracknell.

[willrogers2008]

Posted: 4/3/09 at 3:54pm

In Brazil the Emcee in PIPPIN was Marilia Pera,the first lady of Brazilan Musical theatre.