CABARET Fall 2002 - Nicole Edwards Poughkeepsie Journal
Berlin nightlife unfolds on stage in Cabaret. The days of bigotry, intolerance, religious prejudice and social upheaval are long gone. Well, it sounds good, anyway.
The Two of Us Productions theater company touches on these issues in the performance of Cabaret, but as they happen during in Berlin after World War 1. While working on the set at the Rhinebeck venue, co-director Stephen Sanborn discussed what separates this production from previous stage or cinematic versions. Sanborn said that his production highlights the themes of unchecked pleasure seeking and survival that are threaded across the stories of two couples, accented and commented on by song and dance at the famed Kit Kat Klub. He explained that ''we looked back at how this show was handled in the original 1966 production and tried to make sure the dramatic line of what was going on in Berlin really comes through.''
''It truly does tell a story,'' said George Lytle of New York City, who portrays Cliff Bradshaw, an aspiring novelist from America. ''It tells a story of the times. There have been many productions that focus on the sexual debauchery, but I think in this particular production these are people that are changed at the end of this show.''
I can think of no better words to recommend Cabaret than to quote Sally Bowles: ''What good is sitting alone in your room, come hear the music play''. You won't regret it.