Cabaret

5 out of 5 Stars

Willkommen to the new and completely rejuvenated version of Cabaret, the beloved and poignant musical previously brought to life by the likes of Joel Gray or Alan Cumming depending on your age and/or perspective. I wondered if this giant show could be mastered in this small-town setting. Well, you can leave these concerns (along with your troubles) at the door. What awaits you at Barrington Stage is a completely refreshed and somewhat reimagined version of this story that rings the bell in every musical theatre category.

Beginning with the entrance of Nik Alexander as our Emcee, you are enthralled by the casting of every role in this production. Krysta Rodriguez is simply brilliant as Sally Bowles. Another stand-out is Candy Buckley as Fraulein Schneider. To describe these as Broadway-level performances is simply unfair to this ensemble in that they exceed any expectation you might have for a Broadway show. Labeling these performers as non-binary would be a constrained description of this beautiful and talented cast. Actors change roles and genders with extreme fluidity. Costumes, lighting, and set design all get the highest marks with the final product presented under the superb direction of Alan Paul. Placing the orchestra right on the stage further enhances the powerful punch of the music. Despite being freshly revived in its interpretation, the musical remains firmly attached to its core story by Joe Masteroff, music by John Kander, and lyrics by Fred Ebb.

Prior versions of Cabaret include the 1966 Broadway musical, a 1972 film version, and numerous revivals as recent as 2013. What these productions have in common is their historical nature. The Barrington Stage production however is every bit as much about the present and our current political landscape. It serves to supercharge the message of the show in a way that allows it to stand alone when compared to past productions.

Our access to Barrington Stage’s production of Cabaret underscores what is so wonderful about life in the Berkshires. Miss this production at your peril. After all, what good is sitting alone in your room? See the show.