What makes something a Cabaret?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 6/7/06 at 12:10am

I've often heard people say that they write "lyrics, music, scripts, cabret shows, etc." What makes something a cabret show rather than a play or musical? I realize I've already asked this sort of question, but I'm really interested to know what makes something a cabret show rather than a concert, etc. Thanks.
Updated On: 6/7/06 at 12:10 AM

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 6/7/06 at 12:11am

Life is a cabaret!

Posted: 6/7/06 at 12:21am

Cabaret implies a solo performance with just a piano to me. No sets, no costumes, no "characters" just a performer and and audience. There can be a story told, but it's usually fairly simple, with a few words of introduction before the song.

"In 1987, I caught the bastard in the shower with my sister Rita! I told him to get out, and be sure to leave the towel!" Song begins: "Gonna wash that man right out of my hair!"

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 6/7/06 at 12:31am

The word is cabAret.

Pretty much what Joe said.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 6/7/06 at 12:35am

But the lines can be blurred. Some performers have created cabarets that do mesh a musical theatre sensibility. Some might argue that that then becomes a concert musical, but I think it's valid that some cabarets break out of the tradition mold.

And some cabarets have a band.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 6/7/06 at 3:07am

I'm really interested in writing one and performing it here in town or at my school. I was just curious to know how they work as I've never seen a "real" one before. It seems to me that it sounds like a concert. Whenever I go to a concert they mostly introduce the song and then sing it. I thought a cabaret was more of a "show" - as in the songs correlate to the story you are telling. Do people use original songs or usually established type songs? For instance, how was John Hill's cabaret show? Or was it not considered one?


Sorry for all the questions, just really interested.

[IssaMe]

Posted: 6/7/06 at 7:43am

Drinks.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 6/7/06 at 1:02pm

Check out Sandra Bernhard's I'm Still Here Dammit! DVD and even her Without You I'm Nothing DVD (the latter is a film based on her first hit show).

These will give you a sense of the newer style of cabaret/one person shows. John Hill's show is very inspired by Sandra. The same is true of the show I did and the first show robbiej did. It's sort of the anti-cabaret. (No idea if either of those guys would agree with me lol)

When you see Sandra's show, you can imagine a similar idea using musical theatre/standards. People often tell one big story or lots of little stories. Sometimes they just sing songs. There is often a theme or themes.

My advice would be to make it have a sense of universality. Avoid the show being a piece of therapy (if they show needs to be sad, it needs to be justified). Avoid creating a show that is mostly ballads.

Honestly, I consider cabaret to be theatre. It should, like theatre, contain the same basic needs. It should be necessary. And, I prefer a show that is flesh and blood necessary. Raw. Interesting. That's why I (and so many others) adore Sandra. And, yes, the songs should "progress the plot". Otherwise, you're just background/elevator music in my opinion. You can only "just sing songs" if you have a phenominal voice. And even then, a good singer is a good actor. I hate it when cabaret performers sing songs like they are asleep at the wheel. PERFORM the song.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 6/7/06 at 1:07pm

Gotcha. I'll def. try and find the DVDs. Thanks for the help.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 6/7/06 at 1:09pm

making everyone you own to pay a cover and two drink minimum while they listen to you sing like you are in your shower.

(kidding, tho many cabaret's I've seen felt that way.)

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 6/7/06 at 1:11pm

Doodle is absolutely right. Most cabarets SUCK. So make it interesting. Make it funny. Make it vital. Make it a piece of theatre.

And in NYC, it's a hurdle. I had so many people say that they were so afraid my show would be boring--and were very glad it was the opposite. Granted, bawdiness helps.

But in NYC, 3 of the least desired things want wants to hear are

"You are being audited"

"You have 3 months to live"

"Come see my cabaret"

[Calvin]

Posted: 6/7/06 at 1:15pm

Fortunately, the last two cabarets I've seen have been magnificent.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 6/7/06 at 1:16pm

LoL - I'm not in NYC so that's good. I've got a couple years to "hone" my cabaret before I come to NYC.

Are there any CDs that show good cabarets? (And before anyone says it...not the musical Cabaret)

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 6/7/06 at 1:20pm

You laugh! But those performance songs from Cabaret are a good source of inspiration!

Updated On: 6/7/06 at 01:20 PM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 6/7/06 at 1:29pm

lol --- I couldn't make it through the Cabaret recording ...

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 6/7/06 at 1:41pm

Try try try until you can--that musical is sublime!

[Danielm]

Posted: 6/7/06 at 2:15pm

A Cabaret is a supper club, night club, bar or restaurant with live performance geared toward a small, intimate setting. Cabaret acts can vary in tone and intent but they should be performed with the idea that the audience is very close to the performer. The best cabaret performers interpret the songs they choose and hopefully give them a personal meaning. I've seen both excellent and terrible acts. The worst thing a cabaret performer can do is perform as though they are in a big auditorium or on a Broadway stage blowing the back of the house out with their volume and vocal pyrotechnics. The best thing is to make each audience member feel as though they are hearing the song for the first time. Cabaret performers do not always have the best voices, Andrea Marcovicci and Julie Wilson are not always pitch-perfect but they convey a magic that is hard to describe--because of this they don't neccessarily come off really well in recordings. But if you listen to any of Marcovicci's live cds, any of Karen Akers, Phillip Officer, KT Sullivan, Ann Hampton Calloway or Liz Calloway you will get an idea (there are many more as well). Cabaret performers should bring an intelligence and taste to their acts that you don't always get from pop acts. These are my opinions as someone who has seen a lot of cabaret. I hope it helps.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 6/7/06 at 2:46pm

Like Sandy B, my show was loud and tasteless (at times)!

[Garland Grrrl]

Posted: 6/7/06 at 2:59pm

A cabaret is now just a place to perform. I think the sort of intimate, self-revelatory cabaret show is a thing of the past. Especially in New York. Most cabaret in New York is so bad as to be unbearable. Cabaret in other places is much more biting and topical, experimental and interesting.
Ann Hampton Callaway is a jazz artist who started as a singer/pianist in some of the city's swankier piano bars. she moved in front of the piano as a chanteuse and then at the urging of george shearing and others moved into the area of jazz and improvisation.
and ps: please don't put her name anywhere near KT Sullivan's. I just ate my lunch.

Updated On: 6/7/06 at 02:59 PM

Posted: 6/7/06 at 3:02pm

Danielm has it just about right, except to include the term night club is somewhat misleading. However, since there are no longer night clubs in NYC...such as the Latin Quarter or the Copacabana...I supposed cabarets could also be considered nightclubs. Cabarets are venues, not the shows that appear in them...that's the main distinction. The shows can have themes or not and can definitely consist of more than one person.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 6/7/06 at 5:35pm

I think daniel offers an excellent definition of traditional cabaret.

some people have been evolving the artform to great success.

[Danielm]

Posted: 6/7/06 at 5:47pm

and yet, jrb, you totally dismiss cabaret as something you force your friends to see. Cabaret can certainly be funny as well as serious (Christine Ebersole's live CD is an excellent example). But even if you're trying to stretch the artform you should still consider the venue. I've seen many really loud cabaret shows and as I watch them what I'm usually thinking is "how can I get to the door really fast?"

[Danielm]

Posted: 6/7/06 at 5:52pm

Actually, the tasteless part makes me think of Sharon McKnight who's brilliant "Songs to Offend Almost Everyone" is extremely tastless but done with excellent taste.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 6/7/06 at 5:59pm

I wasn't trying to dismiss cabaret. I was only dismissing bad cabaret and trying to include definitions outside the traditional ones given here. I applaud someone who can do a great traditional cabaret but admit my preference for edgier fare. and I didn't mean to imply that I only like comic cabaret. not at all. give me drama. but make sure it's not slef indulgent or therapy is all I ask.

Posted: 6/7/06 at 6:37pm

Check out any of Laurie Beechman's 4 albums -- especially "Listen to MY Heart" -- if you can find it.