Local Review: The UTEP Dinner Theatre's Production of "Cabaret"
The Kit Kat Club in Berlin, Germany surely came to life in the UTEP Dinner Theatre's incredibly moving production of Kander and Ebb's "Cabaret". The UTEP Dinner Theatre has put on a splendid production of this show and I must give kudos to all involved for putting on a really great production of this risque and intricate show.
"Cabaret" (Book by Joe Masteroff, Music by John Kander, and lyrics by Fred Ebb) is the story of a romance between a British nightclub singer named Sally Bowles and an American novelist named Clifford Bradshaw set in Berlin in the year 1938. Also in the mix are two doomed lovers, one who runs a boarding house and another a fruitshop, and a master of ceremonies who oversees the entire story, all while the Nazi Party is beginning to rise to power in Germany.
"Cabaret" really is a masterpiece. The show perfectly illustrates the issues of the time period (some of which are issues that still exist today) and the divide that emotionally separated some of the characters. The plot is really raunchy and gut wrenching, and although some of the music might sound happy, there is something dark lurking behind quite a few of the songs. I think the most interesting thing about the music for "Cabaret" is that the songs change drastically depending on what kind of context you put them in. Most significantly, the songs "Willkommen", "Tomorrow Belongs to Me", and you could argue that the show's title song fits into that category of songs as well.
Director, Jaime Barba, really did a flawless job casting the production. Joel Aguileria did an outstanding job in the very eerie role of the Emcee (Master of Ceremonies) and Lauren Pena stunned as Sally Bowles, with her renditions of "Maybe This Time" and "Cabaret" being her strongest moments in the show both vocally and emotionally. As the American novelist, Clifford Bradshaw, John Levick did very well and his performance was very boyish and well rounded. Selena Stair and Danny Lopez displayed an adorable chemistry in the roles of Frau Schneider and Herr Shultz, with their two duets "It Couldn't Please Me More" and "Married" being some of the more lighter and happier moments of the show. The production also had strong performances from Caitlin Burnside (Fraulein Kost) and Danny Perez (Ernst Ludwig).
Barba directed a very well realized production of "Cabaret." The blocking and pacing was superb and the complete silences that would fall over the audience, were not only due to the written material, but to the excellent direction. The one aspect of the production that I did not understand was why the Kit Kat Dancers were onstage throughout the entire show. I am sure that there was a reason for it, but as an audience member, I didn't get it. Other aspects of the show that I enjoyed were the lighting design (by Michael L. Spence), sound design (by Jim Wilkinson), and scenic design (by Michael L. Spence). As always, Patricia Ann Provencio's musical direction was sensational.
I attended the final performance of this production, so you are just going to have to take my word that it was a superb show. If it were still running, I would urge you to go see it. Although it has now closed at the UTEP Dinner Theatre, you can always watch the 1972 movie that starred Joel Grey and Liza Minnelli. No matter where or how you see this show, it is a very powerful show that I think everybody should see at least once.
"CABARET"
Book by Joe Masteroff
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
The UTEP Dinner Theatre's production of "CABARET"" was directed by Jaime Barba and the cast consisted of:
The Master of Ceremonies- JOEL AGUILERA
Sally Bowles- LAUREN PENA
Clifford Bradshaw- JOHN LEVICK
Ernst Ludwig- DANNY PEREZ
Fraulein Schneider- SELENA STAIR
Fraulein Kost- CAITLIN BURNSIDE
Herr Schultz- DANNY LOPEZ
For more information, visit http://www.academics.utep.edu/Default.aspx?alias=www.academics.utep.edu/udt
"Cabaret" (Book by Joe Masteroff, Music by John Kander, and lyrics by Fred Ebb) is the story of a romance between a British nightclub singer named Sally Bowles and an American novelist named Clifford Bradshaw set in Berlin in the year 1938. Also in the mix are two doomed lovers, one who runs a boarding house and another a fruitshop, and a master of ceremonies who oversees the entire story, all while the Nazi Party is beginning to rise to power in Germany.
"Cabaret" really is a masterpiece. The show perfectly illustrates the issues of the time period (some of which are issues that still exist today) and the divide that emotionally separated some of the characters. The plot is really raunchy and gut wrenching, and although some of the music might sound happy, there is something dark lurking behind quite a few of the songs. I think the most interesting thing about the music for "Cabaret" is that the songs change drastically depending on what kind of context you put them in. Most significantly, the songs "Willkommen", "Tomorrow Belongs to Me", and you could argue that the show's title song fits into that category of songs as well.
Director, Jaime Barba, really did a flawless job casting the production. Joel Aguileria did an outstanding job in the very eerie role of the Emcee (Master of Ceremonies) and Lauren Pena stunned as Sally Bowles, with her renditions of "Maybe This Time" and "Cabaret" being her strongest moments in the show both vocally and emotionally. As the American novelist, Clifford Bradshaw, John Levick did very well and his performance was very boyish and well rounded. Selena Stair and Danny Lopez displayed an adorable chemistry in the roles of Frau Schneider and Herr Shultz, with their two duets "It Couldn't Please Me More" and "Married" being some of the more lighter and happier moments of the show. The production also had strong performances from Caitlin Burnside (Fraulein Kost) and Danny Perez (Ernst Ludwig).
Barba directed a very well realized production of "Cabaret." The blocking and pacing was superb and the complete silences that would fall over the audience, were not only due to the written material, but to the excellent direction. The one aspect of the production that I did not understand was why the Kit Kat Dancers were onstage throughout the entire show. I am sure that there was a reason for it, but as an audience member, I didn't get it. Other aspects of the show that I enjoyed were the lighting design (by Michael L. Spence), sound design (by Jim Wilkinson), and scenic design (by Michael L. Spence). As always, Patricia Ann Provencio's musical direction was sensational.
I attended the final performance of this production, so you are just going to have to take my word that it was a superb show. If it were still running, I would urge you to go see it. Although it has now closed at the UTEP Dinner Theatre, you can always watch the 1972 movie that starred Joel Grey and Liza Minnelli. No matter where or how you see this show, it is a very powerful show that I think everybody should see at least once.
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"CABARET"
Book by Joe Masteroff
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
The UTEP Dinner Theatre's production of "CABARET"" was directed by Jaime Barba and the cast consisted of:
The Master of Ceremonies- JOEL AGUILERA
Sally Bowles- LAUREN PENA
Clifford Bradshaw- JOHN LEVICK
Ernst Ludwig- DANNY PEREZ
Fraulein Schneider- SELENA STAIR
Fraulein Kost- CAITLIN BURNSIDE
Herr Schultz- DANNY LOPEZ
For more information, visit http://www.academics.utep.edu/Default.aspx?alias=www.academics.utep.edu/udt
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