“Leave your troubles outside. So… life is disappointing? Forget it! We have no troubles here! Here life is beautiful…” And that’s just what the show of Cabaret was. The second the Emcee (Trish Fountain) walked onstage, the audience was captivated. Captivated by the orchestra, captivated by the talented Kit Kat Club boys and girls, and captivated by the hauntingly beautiful storyline.
Cabaret, done by the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre, is a musical that captures a time in Berlin when Nazis were coming into power. The story revolves around American writer Cliff Bradshaw (Chris Grimm) who travels to Germany to find inspiration for his novel. That’s where he meets “mysterious and fascinating” cabaret performer Sally Bowles (Laura Dysarczyk) from England. Along the way, we meet lovable characters such as Fraulein Schneider (Jessica Ryder) and Herr Schultz (Edmond Reynolds).
The Ann Arbor Civic Theatre did this show justice. So many emotions were felt throughout. Love for newly formed relationships, uncomfortableness for moments that left the audience in silence, and pain for the decline of characters and political situations. Moments left the audience with their mouths wide open, shocked. And at the end, the Emcee reminds them of the troubles that they have left behind… Is it because the troubles have actually disappeared? Or is it because they realized that their troubles are so small compared to the one’s of the characters’ onstage? Just something to think about while leaving the theatre, not knowing what emotions to feel.
This sold out show was performed beautifully. Unfortunately it is over now, but I highly recommend seeing more shows done by the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre. Information and tickets can be found at: http://www.a2ct.org/.
