Shocking revelations: 'Cabaret' sheds light on the dark past!

Shocking revelations: 'Cabaret' sheds light on the dark past!

The revival of “Cabaret” at the Guthrie Theater is causing quite a stir. This unforgettable musical, which debuted on Broadway in 1966, examines the gradual rise of totalitarianism in 1930s Berlin, and the current production shows the play at its most shocking and captivating. Star Tribune highlights that the confrontational performance requires a sensitive hand, especially when it comes to Nazi ideology and its symbolic representations.

A particularly painful moment occurs with the unveiling of the swastika, reinforced by the slow, obedient salute of the rainbow ensemble. In this respect, the performances of the duet “If You Could See Her” between the charismatic emcee and a dancer in a gorilla costume are disturbing, as they vividly capture the dehumanization during the rise of fascism. The darkening of human values ​​in the face of totalitarianism becomes more than clear.

Character development

The plot follows American writer Clifford Bradshaw, who travels to Berlin to find inspiration for his novel. On his train journey he meets the open-minded Ernst, who welcomes him to the famous Kit Kat Club and makes new acquaintances in the nightlife there. Cliff and the performative Sally Bowles have a complex and quite passionate romance, while another narrator's voice illuminates the relationship between Fraulein Schneider, the owner of the boarding house, and the Jewish tenant Mr. Schultz. However, what seems like a glorious future is threatened by Ernst's true nature when he reveals himself and warns Fraulein Schneider against marriage to Mr. Schultz, which represents a dramatic turning point. The Fordham Political Review points out that the characters show different reactions to the threatening authoritarian currents, which reflects not only their individual fates but also those of society.

An emotional highlight in the production is the party of Miss Schneider, played by Michelle Barber, and her burgeoning feelings for Mr. Schulz. Here too, the duo Auberjonois and Barber impresses with the passionate song “It Couldn’t Please Me More”.

Artistic design and social context

Impressively designed, the stage design by Marion Williams takes shape in the form of raised wagons, a reflection of the red light district. Add to this the glittering costumes by Jen Caprio and the extraordinary lighting design by Josh Epstein. The musical accompaniment from Mark Hartman's orchestra underlines the drama of the scenes and creates a dense atmosphere. As [bpb.de](https://www.bpb.de/die-bpb/presse/pressemittritten/50866/musik-in-diktaturen-des-20- Jahrhunderts/) explains, music often plays a crucial role in authoritarian systems and reflected musical trends that prevailed in dictatorships such as National Socialism, Italian Fascism or the GDR.

The examination of music and its complementary role in dystopian regimes remains an important topic that is also relevant in the current discussion about authoritarian governance, as the example of Donald Trump shows. Education and active action against such tendencies are therefore essential in order not to repeat history.

The performance of “Cabaret” at the Guthrie Theater is not only a captivating theatrical experience, but also a profound examination of the dangers of authoritarian thinking, which are relevant both yesterday and today.