The musical “Cabaret,” whether on stage or on screen, is full of glamour, glitter and sex. In The Very Little Theatre’s production, these glitzy elements take command, but the real backbone of the show is a hard-hitting history lesson.
The musical drama, presented in the 75-year-old venue located at 2350 Hilyard St., tells a heartbreaking tale of destroyed relationships in early Nazi Germany. When a straight-laced American writer, Cliff Bradshaw (played by the lanky boyish Evan Howells), arrives in Berlin to work on a novel, he finds the lights and free living of the city quite a distraction. He is seduced by a nightclub singer, Sally Bowles (played by the sultry Liz Kadel), who promptly moves into the rented room where he resides.
The two continue to “live in sin” among a cast of carefree characters, including a blond female tenant with a sailor fetish and their elderly German landlord, Fraulein Schneider, who falls in love with a jolly Jewish grocer, Herr Shultz. They all go about their business with an “anything goes” perspective until the rising power of the Nazi party turns their laid-back world upside down.
The Emcee at the local night club, the Kit Kat Club (played by the charming, charismatic Tegue DeLeon) ties the show together with bright comical sketches that comment on issues within the plot. In one scene, a woman and a man in drag depict the characters’ unrestrained lifestyles by singing behind a blanket. In another, the Emcee dances with a gorilla, metaphorically explaining how the public views Schneider’s inter-cultural relationship with Shultz. The interjected skits add a little extra thought-provoking and creative entertainment to the already captivating production.
The rapport between Schneider and Shultz brings a touching aspect to the musical. The actors show a genuine care for one another, and Shultz is precious and generous in his courting of Schneider, which centers around gifts of fruit and leads to an engagement. Their sweet, innocent relationship draws an authentic concern from the audience, so when it is shattered by an unfortunate political situation, the result is effectively tragic.
Director Michael Watkins purposely emphasized the historical catastrophes occurring in Germany at the time. As a result, he created a version of “Cabaret” which is much sadder than other productions.
“I took it darker than the way people usually see it,” Watkins said. “What occurred with the Nazis is an important thing to remember. It reminds us that history has the potential to repeat itself, and people often forget that.”
Watkins’ somber approach to “Cabaret” adds tension and controversy to the story. He includes the use of swastika symbols and references to Adolf Hitler and the Holocaust.
The overall effect of “Cabaret” is pleasing; it sparkles with drama and sex appeal. But the overall quality only matches that of top-notch high school theater. Musical timing is sometimes off, some voices are mediocre, and dancing, especially from the Kit Kat Club show girls, is weak. Still, if you’re a fan of Eugene theater, “Cabaret” is worth catching. It’s a heart-wrenching roller coaster that takes you up to freedom, comedy and love, then dips you down to oppression, sadness and loss.
The final three performances of “Cabaret” will take place tonight, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at The Very Little Theatre’s box office, located inside the theater, for $15. Students may purchase a ticket for $12 for tonight’s production only.