Cabaret at Studio 54

Photo: Sara Krulwich, The New York Times

 Cabaret

 Opened March 21st at Studio 54 Theatre 

Synopsis:

We meet Emcee (Alan Cumming),  our story teller and Master of Ceremonies throughout the show, we're told to leave our troubles at the door as he transports the audience to the oversexualized and seedy cabaret centric hotspot, the Kit Kat Klub. Set in a 1930's Berlin, where English showgirl, Sally Bowles (Michelle Williams), is the sultry star of the show. 

American writer, Cliff Bradshaw (Bill Heck), travels to Berlin in hopes of finding inspiration for his next novel, and soon after is befriended by a German man, Ernst Ludwig (Aaron Krohn), who encourages him to stay at a boarding house run by a sweet German lady named Fraulein Schneider. Later that evening Bradshaw finds his way to the Kit Kat Klub where he meets Sally, and sparks fly. Sally eventually moves in with Bradshaw after losing her job at the club and (surprise, surprise) becomes pregnant, although the father could be anyone according to her. Meanwhile Fraulein and her older male suitor Herr Schultz (who reveals his Jewish heritage when he blurs out "Mazel!") begin heating up as he eventually brings her the most exotic of fruits from his store, the pineapple, and soon after they become engaged. Yet the marriage never happens after Fraulein is approached by Ernst Ludwig and black mailed, if she were to marry a Jew, her renting license may be taken away, he threatened. All of which is taking place while political and civil unrest begins to stir in a Pre WWII Nazi Germany, eventually causing Bradshaw to flee back to America.

As everyone tries to escape their troubles at the Kit Kat Klub  through over indulging in Schnapps, sexual escapades, and song & dance...reality eventually finds them.
  
Review:

 If you missed it in 1998 (or 1987), Cabaret is back on Broadway with the same late 90's award winning trio Alan Cumming (Emcee), Sam Mendes (director), Rob Marshall (choreography.)Why mess with perfection? 

Alan Cumming steals the show as the ultimate Master of Ceremonies,  I couldn't imagine anyone more perfect for this role. 

Michelle Williams makes her Broadway debut as Sally Bowles, a British showgirl living in Berlin in the 1930's. Williams is by no means pitch perfect but you can't help but fall in love with her shabby chic voice that was endearing, likable, and real, as she honed in on her inner Marylin, after all she did play her in My Week with Marylin. I really appreciated how she invested herself emotionally into the part, as I saw real tears stream down her cheeks. 

This was my first time seeing Linda Emond (Fraulein Schneider) on Broadway, she has the kind of face that looks so familiar, and that's because she's been in numerous movies and popular TV shows that we've all watched at some point. I really liked her performance. 

One of my favorite parts of the show were the lingerie clad band members... the way the clarinet was meant to be played?  Now, to rule Broadway you must sing, dance, and play an instrument! I like it. 

Best Performance:

Hands down, Alan Cumming, as it should be!

Seating Recommendation:

I think sitting at a stool or cocktail table on the orchestra level adds a lot to the over all experience of feeling like you're a part of the Kit Kat Klub. The balcony is normal theatre seating. 

(Photo Credit)

Bottom Line:

Go! They're obviously reviving it for a reason, it's wonderful and highly entertaining. We thoroughly enjoyed every moment. 

Cabaret came highly recommended by editor, Lucy Yeomans, of Porter magazine. 

This week on Broadway | NYC Fashion Blogger Samantha Angelo

 It was a week filled with entertainment, on Wednesday night we went to the premiere, Of Mice and Men, James Franco's Broadway debut.  And on Saturday night seven of us went to A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. This was my sister's first Broadway show, ever!! I was thrilled to have a hand in making that happen.

Both shows were spectacular and had outstanding performances. The level of talent in these productions was absolutely superb. The gold star goes to... Of Mice and Men, our favorite of the two shows.

Of Mice and Men

 I'll  keep this brief since we've all read the novella. first of all you can't go wrong with John Steinbeck's classic tale that we all vividly remember reading in high school. During the performance, Peter subconsciously recounted the novel word for word, like one does with a song listened to over and over again at one point in life, and then hear again many years later.

The chemistry between Franco (George) and O'Dowd (Lennie) was a thing of beauty, they were perfect and they brought the story to life. The New York Times referred to their chemistry as a "Broadway Bromance" and I would have to agree. They acted the story the way it should be imagined. It was so much fun to watch the two of them interact, Peter and I left Longacre Theatre thoroughly impressed. This is one of the best plays I've seen on Broadway in awhile, I highly recommend it. Great cast! The stars of the show include three Broadway newbies James Franco, Chris O'Dowd, Leighton Meester, and one Broadway veteran, Jim Norton.

Best Performance:
The over all chemistry between Franco and O'Dowd was my favorite part of the production, by the end of the play the two of them had me in tears. However, my favorite all around performance goes to Chris O'Dowd (Lennie), he completed nailed it.

Seating Recommendation:
I would recommend getting a closer seat in the orchestra for this show. It would make a big difference, because you'll be able to pick up on the most subtle of facial expressions and nuances that will really add to your over all enjoyment of the production.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder

 A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, (based on a novel by Roy Horniman) is a light hearted comedic musical. One review said that A Gentleman's Guide was the funniest musical since Book of Mormon...I wouldn't go that far. It was fun and cute, but NOT a gut buster as some reviews stated. From a laughter stand point I wouldn't say it was funnier than Book of Mormon or Kinky Boots. My favorite tunes/scenes were "Better With a Man" "I've Decided to Marry You" and "I Don't Understand the Poor". I really appreciated the thought and creativity that was put into the staging of this musical. We all left the theatre humming/singing the finale tune.

Synopsis:
The story of a man (Monty Navarro) who discovers that he is heir to the D'Ysquith throne and fortune. The only thing that stand between himself and becoming the Earl is seven D'Ysquith's, and in the funniest way possible he creatively picks them off one by one.

Best Performance:
Jefferson Mays was outstanding and impressive as he played 8 different roles (The entire D'Ysquith family)!!! He was a master at the quickest costume/character changes, which was extremely entertaining.

Seating Recommendation:
Walter Kerr theatre is very tiny and quaint, yet surprisingly had the most leg room that we've seen in awhile on Broadway. The only seats that were available for 7 people happened to be very back row of the orchestra, which wound up being quite close to the stage due to the intimate size of the theatre. You really can't go wrong with any seat in the house, since it's such an intimate setting. 

 "Just like heaven. Ever'body wants a little piece of lan'. I read plenty of books out here. Nobody never get to heaven, and nobody gets no land. It's just in their head. They're all the time talkin' about it, but it's jus' in their head." - John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men