Overview
Synopsis
Cabaret takes place from 1929-1930, a time when Berlin, in the midst of a post-World War I economic depression, is transitioning from a center of underground, avant-garde cultural epicenter to the beginnings of Hitler’s totalitarian regime and the rise of the Nazi Party. Into this world enters Clifford Bradshaw, a struggling American writer looking for inspiration for his next novel. On his first night in Berlin, Cliff wanders into the Kit Kat Klub, a seedy nightclub overseen by the strange, omniscient and gender-bending Master of Ceremonies, “the Emcee.” Here, Cliff meets Sally Bowles, a vivacious, talented cabaret performer, and an utterly lost soul. Sally and Cliff begin a relationship, which blossoms unexpectedly into a dream-like romance.
As time passes, however, the situation in Berlin changes from exciting and vital to ominous and violent; Ernst, Cliff’s first German friend, turns out to be an up-and-coming member of the Nazi Party, and Herr Schultz, a fellow boarder at Fraulein Schneider’s guest house (and Schneider’s fiancee), is the victim of an Anti-Semitic hate crime. When he finds out that Sally is pregnant, Cliff decides that they must leave for America at once, before things get any worse. Sally, afraid, confused, and unsure that she’ll ever really be able to trade the sexy, illicit cabaret lifestyle for motherhood, gets an abortion, and tells Cliff that he must leave without her. With a distinctly Brechtian dose of provocation and a score featuring songs that have become classics of the American Musical Theater, Cabaret is a fierce, meaty musical that pushes the boundaries of the form and literally holds “the mirror up to nature.”
Show Information
Context
After an extensive development process, the Original Broadway production of Cabaret, directed by Harold Prince and choreographed by Ron Field, opened on November 20, 1966, at the Broadhurst Theatre and transferred two times, playing a total of 1,165 performances before closing. A national touring company began in 1968 and played major theaters in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta and Dallas, among other cities. The show opened on London’s West End
to read the context for Cabaret and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
“Playwright’s Note: There is no curtain. As the audience enters the theatre, the stage is bare and dark. Street lamps on both sides of the stage recede dimly into the distance. A large mirror hanging center stage reflects the auditorium, thus allowing the audience to see itself.”
ACT ONE
A sign is illuminated in the darkness: “Cabaret,” it reads. A spotlight comes up on the Kit Kat Klub’s Master of Ceremonies, a “bizarre little figure - much lipstick, much rouge, patent-leather
to read the plot for Cabaret and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
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Interactive Character Map
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Character Portrayals
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Songs
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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number.
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
THEMES
The Rise of Nazism and Societal Blindness
In Cabaret, the rise of Nazism serves as the central historical backdrop, illustrating how economic despair and political manipulation in 1930s Weimar Germany allowed fascist ideologies to infiltrate everyday life, often unnoticed by those immersed in personal pleasures. Characters like Sally Bowles and Fräulein Schneider embody societal blindness, choosing denial and survival over confrontation, as seen in Schneider's decision to end
to read about the themes, symbols and motifs from Cabaret and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Key Terms
Allegory is a storytelling device in which characters, events, and settings represent abstract ideas or moral qualities. In theatre, allegorical plays often deliver social, political, or religious messages beneath their surface narrative.
Experimental and boundary-pushing theatre that challenges conventional forms, often associated with political or abstract expression.
A powerful, resonant singing technique used in musical theatre to project high notes with chest voice.
Relating to the theatrical style of Bertolt Brecht, emphasizing social critique and distancing the audience from emotional immersion.
A theatrical genre mixing parody, music, and often sensuality, originating in the 19th century as satirical entertainment.
A form of theatrical entertainment featuring music, song, dance, and drama, often performed in a nightclub or pub-style venue.
A concept musical is a type of musical structured around a central idea, theme, or message rather than a straightforward linear plot. Songs, characters, and scenes are often arranged to explore this unifying concept from different perspectives. This style allows for greater experimentation and can blend satire, social commentary, or abstract storytelling.
A flirtatious female character type used in comedies and dramas to explore gender roles and manipulation.
A historic economic crisis dramatized in plays to explore poverty, resilience, and social upheaval.
Satire is a dramatic style that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to criticize human behavior, social institutions, or political systems. In theatre, it highlights flaws and hypocrisies through wit and parody, encouraging audiences to laugh while also reflecting on serious issues. Satire can range from lighthearted comedy to biting social commentary, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.
A sentimental ballad about unrequited love, often featured in musicals or cabaret performances.
A variety entertainment form popular in the U.S. from the late 19th century to the early 20th, featuring diverse short acts.
A High German-derived language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews, used in a unique tradition of Jewish theatre.
