|
Cabaret
by La Jolla High School
 Wilkommen to Berlin circa 1929. It’s all one big, crazy
party with no end to the fun in sight. As long as you don’t look too closely at
the rising Nazi Party or read the hate-filled autobiography of their leader,
Adolph Hitler. When American novelist Cliff Bradshaw arrives, he is charmed by
the city and its residents – from his prudish but pragmatic innkeeper Fraulein
Schneider, to the helpful German Ernst Ludwig who helps him make friends and
make money, and especially the fast-talking, fast-moving cabaret dancer Sally
Bowles.
Bryce Slatic had just a few days to jump into the
role of Cliff Bradshaw on the Thursday night I saw the show, following an
injury to cast member Maxfield Jones. And Bryce does an admirable job as
the good-natured but green American who quickly embraces the freewheeling ways
of his new home, and just as quickly realizes when the party is over. On the
night I attended, Megan Evans starred as the singular Sally Bowles with
Megan completely transforming herself into the flirty but vulnerable cabaret
star, topping it all off with a Liza Minnelli look and a carefree, sultry,
high-on-life (and high-on-other-things) voice.
Providing some of the more humorous and definitely the
sweetest moments of the show, and also one of the saddest, were the matronly,
thickly accented innkeeper Fraulein Schneider (Jennifer Bendelstein) and
the calming, gentle Herr Schultz (Ryan Luster), a fruit shop owner who
knows how to use a pineapple to reach Fraulein Schneider’s heart. But the
tender romance will have to overcome the objection Nazi Ernst Ludwig (Jake
Mogin) has to Fraulein Schneider’s romance with a Jewish man.
And then you have the Cabaret. A lively place where cares
and morals are left at the door. But can that door also keep out the hatred and
fears being pressured on all Germans? The charismatic Cabaret emcee (Luke
Marinkovich) offers us clues to that answer with songs that grow
increasingly dark and troubling. In that, Luke is helped out by a cast of
dancing Kit Kat Girls who clearly revel in their work and perform Denise
Lynne’s stark, intense choreography in scenes like Money and Mein
Herr.
Director Ann Boutelle once again shows her
passion for having her students take on challenging and thought-provoking
theatre, and demonstrates her skill in making all aspects of the production
work so effectively. For this one, she also got with Kirk Johnson
and the school orchestra to be the traditional band on the Cabaret stage, the
orchestra doing an excellent job with the score.
Performed through March 26, 2006.
Rob Hopper
National Youth Theatre
~ Cast ~
 Emcee: Luke Marinkovich
Sally Bowles: Megan Evans
Cliff Bradshaw: Bryce Slatic
Ernst Ludwig: Jake Mogin
German Official: Mustafa Kakar
Fraulein Schneider: Jennifer Bendelstein
Fraulein Kost: Amanda Shafer
Herr Schultz: Ryan Luster
Max: Sprig Allan
Patrons, Soldiers: Mustafa Kakar, Carl Gordon
~ Kit Kat Girls ~
Rosie: Niki Zager
Lulu: Shereen Cohen
Frenchie: Amanda Vincent
Texas: Brittany Milove
Fritzie: Jennifer Huntley
Helga: Katie Willert
Jacqueline Bookstein
Lilia Houshmand
Emiline Musarra
Naomi McKenna
Sara Bergquist
~ Patrons Chorus ~
Diane Earl
Ariel Coon
Takara Miller
Megan Evans
Lindsey Olsen
Carl Gordon
Amanda Shafer
Chelsea Maidhof
Director: Ann Boutelle
Choreographer: Denise Lynne
Music Director: Kirk Johnson
Choral Director: Brenda Henderson
Set Designer: Katherine Ward
Costumes: Katherine Ward, Walt Stewart, Ann Boutelle
Lighting Designers: Courtney Sorenson, Chris Renda, Doug Hooton
Stage Manager: Julie McGrew
|
