#i also love alan cummings version of the emcee so much

[strangely-epic]

outing myself as an ex theatre kid with this one

[pussyhoundspock]

having seen it now, i think the mixed review for the new york transfer of the 2024 frecknall cabaret make a lot of sense -- it's easy to see both sides. on one hand, it's an incredibly well produced, choreographed show with great aesthetics; the performances, especially the older b-couple are fantastic (i'll talk more specifically about cliff/the emcee and sally in a minute); cabaret itself is phenomenal. so it's a great show with great costumes stages effects and great performances. of course its getting praise!

but on the other hand, there isn't much the revival is doing that's very revolutionary. it's really just doing the sam mendes production but "more". cabaret has a really interesting history -- the original stage show, then the movie (all different songs), then the new stage show in 1987 (combo of songs), then the sam mendes/alan cummings revival which was so impactful that's the song list and book that was used in the frecknall revival. it set the tone for the aesthetic, as well as the themes, and even did its own attempt at making audience members feel like attendees of the kit kat club. however, of course, the frecknell version does more to do that. more to immerse the audience, more frenzy to sally, more demonic energy to the emcee -- though i would say the frecknell emcee is much closer to joel grey then alan cummings -- i.e., sexless, vauderal-ian figure/jester, puppet master/architect, etc, but i won't get too into that. anyway that is to say i understand the frustration or negative reviews because i dont really think the frecknell revival is doing or saying anything different than the mendes one, which was a lot more recent in america than london, though arguably the frecknell version takes things further for better or worse. and some stuff really works -- like i think one of the strongest scenes in the whole show is the brick through the window scene GENUINELY incredibly

the frecknell cabaret did have its flops for me, though. for example, while i liked what they were doing with this version of the emcee -- especially the clown suit! the costuming was great! i didn't really like redmaynes version. it felt like he was working way too hard and trying way too hard -- whereas with joel grey and alan cummings i truly felt that character come alive and it was creepy and compelling and fun and many other adjectives with redmayne it was just like. a version of the emcee that was sexless and also had negative rizz and also was visibly like Trying. i don't know. what they were doing with the emcee really worked for me; redmayne's performance didn't. but that's very like my personal taste. i also didn't really love the performance of 'cabaret' at the end which is unfortunate because that's one of my favorite musical theater moments in like. well. the whole damn thing. i did generally like the portrayal of sally, even dialed up as it was, because it did feel resonate with our time -- i think cabaret revivals really reflect the time they're in.

THAT SAID. speaking of time periods. an aside but. this production felt like the dialogue equivalent of tiktok face. the acting/actors just felt too modern at times. also. while i'm doing minor asides. i didn't really feel like they leaned as into the immersive thing as they could've but that could've been because i was rear mezz. anyway.

[eddieredmayneargentinablog]

New post: "EDDIE REDMAYNE & GAYLE RANKIN BRING AUDIENCES INTO THE KIT KAT CLUB"

FRANK DILELLA | FEBRUARY 6, 2024.

Starting April 1, a hearty “Willkommen” awaits at the enticing and electrifying Kit Kat Club (a.k.a., the August Wilson Theatre) on 52nd Street on Broadway. The London transfer of the 2022 Olivier Award–winning revival of Cabaret is one of the most highly anticipated musicals of the spring season. Tony-winning actor Eddie Redmayne is set to reprise his performance of the Emcee, a role he won an Olivier for when he opened the show in the West End. He’ll be joined by actress Gayle Rankin, who is new to this production of Cabaret, taking on the show’s leading lady, Sally Bowles. Entertainment journalist for Spectrum News NY1 Frank DiLella caught up with both Redmayne and Rankin to talk their love of Cabaret and much more.

Eddie, congratulations on the Broadway transfer of this brilliant revival. How are you feeling knowing you’re once again taking on the Emcee in Cabaret?

EDDIE REDMAYNE: Thanks so much. Honestly, this is one of the pieces that made me fall in love with theater as a kid, so the fact that I got to play this iconic part on stage professionally in London was truly a bucket-list moment fulfilled. But when I was about 9 or 10, I became oddly obsessed with New York. London was home, but I was always looking at photographs of New York, researching the place. When I eventually came to the city and went to Times Square, it was one of those completely overwhelming sensations. I remember my whole body reacting. So the idea that I now get the chance to play this part in this show that I’m so passionate about in the mecca of musical theater — which is Broadway — is beautifully daunting and also 100 percent thrilling!

Gayle, Cabaret seems to be your show. You were part of the 2014 Roundabout revival with Alan Cumming — you played Fraulein Kost.

GAYLE RANKIN: I can’t tell you how moving it is to have worked on Cabaret a decade ago, and after lovingly letting it go, it’s come back to me with the gargantuan gift of Sally. [Laughs.] It is my show! I feel wildly privileged to be able to say that. I know I have to continue to earn that privilege because of what the show is and what it means. But I have never felt more ready to do that now, inside of this amazing production and with this incredible group of artists.

Eddie, when were you first introduced to Cabaret?

ER: I was first introduced to it when I was in school; I was around 15 or 16, and there was a little production being done at my school. And that was the first time I listened to the music. I remember hunting down all the possible CD versions I could find. I remember looking for a production to see, but there were none playing in London, so the very first production I ever saw of Cabaret was, randomly, the Spanish version in Madrid — and it was the Sam Mendes version, but in Spanish! I was 19 and completely blown away. Since then, I saw Emma Stone and Alan Cumming do it brilliantly in New York, and of course Rufus Norris’s version in London. I’m a sort of Cabaret junkie.

How about you, Gayle?

GR: The first time I was introduced to it was when I was in a musical-theater program in Scotland and one of the other young women had been given the song “Maybe This Time,” and I remember being like, “Wow! What a song!” That’s when I was introduced to Cabaret as a property.

Eddie, it’s my understanding that you were instrumental with making this production of Cabaret take shape.

ER: Ha! It’s been a long old road. After I did Cabaret in school in my late teens, there was an amateur production of Cabaret going to the Edinburgh Festival, and I got cast in that, and the venue that we were doing the show in was called The Underbelly. It was dark and damp and people were sitting around tables. I loved every minute, and it affirmed my want to be an actor. The guys who set up that venue became producers professionally and the Underbelly transformed to become a brilliant venue and producing house in the U.K. They approached me about seven years ago and asked if I would ever consider doing Cabaret again. It had always been on my bucket list, and I thought long and hard about it — as I said, it’s dream territory. Then Jessie Buckley leapt into my mind, who is an extraordinary actor and singer, and she and I plotted together. We both approached the brilliant director Rebecca Frecknall, and piece by piece this thing built momentum. But it had been done so beautifully and vividly before, we only wanted to do it if we could find a new way in, something that perhaps hadn’t been explored before.  And with Rebecca, the brilliant Tom Scutt, Julia Cheng, and Jordan Fein — our designer, choreographer, and prologue director — we took on this idea of inviting an audience through the underbelly of the theatre, taking them through this experience so by the time they arrive in the theatre, they’ve truly left all their troubles outside.

Eddie, you’re taking on one of the great roles of the musical theater, the Emcee, and I have to say, having seen you on stage in London, your Emcee is different compared to Joel Grey’s and Alan Cumming’s.

ER: I think one of the reasons he’s such an appealing part is because he’s one of the most enigmatic parts that I’ve ever read, witnessed, or experienced. The Emcee was a part that was created by Joel and Hal Prince [director of the original Cabaret] to join scenes together. He has no literary basis. So in some ways, the part exists in an abstract way. One of the things that I tried to do when I first started was I attempted to rationalize him and create a backstory. But the second you try to pin him down, he falls flat — he’s too quixotic for that. In the end it became trying to find a way into him physically and through instinct alone. It felt like a high-wire act. But a thrilling one.

Gayle, Sally Bowles is one of the great female roles in musical theater. Who is your Sally?

GR: My Sally is close to me. I think she’s only to be known truly by me. Sally can infamously live in a space where she can be pitied to people, and I don’t think that’s the whole story. There’s more to be told about her. And I feel compelled to take that on.

Do you feel that your experience of doing the 2014 Cabaret revival with Alan Cumming, where you played a Kit Kat Club girl and Fraulein Kost, prepped you for Sally?

GR: How could it not? For something to live inside of you both consciously and unconsciously — I hope I’ve evolved as a person and as an artist, and I feel like I’ve never been more ready to take Sally on. And I feel like I’m a big enough girl to admit the 2014 production — I was not in a place or was the right person to play Sally even though I had the time of my life with that show.

Sally gets some amazing musical moments. “Maybe This Time,” “Cabaret,” “Don’t Tell Mama” … Favorite tune in the show?

GR: It’s always been “I Don’t Care Much” [sung by the Emcee]. Sally’s songs are almost too meaningful; I can’t pick one, they’re like children. [Laughs.] But there’s something about “I Don’t Care Much” that’s so essential to the conversation and the story and lives inside of all those characters. This longing for hope during so much horror. That song just moves me.

Gayle, take me to your opening night, when you take your bow as Sally Bowles.

GR: [Laughs.] Frank! What a question. Now I’m crying. My niece will be there, and she’s 12, and I’ll probably be looking at her. I’ll probably be tired. [Laughs.] I think I’m going to be really happy.

This show is quite the experience. Give a little preview of what New York audiences can expect once they enter the Kit Kat Club.

ER: I can’t paint that picture for you just yet because it’s in the process of being built and designed by Tom Scutt. Tom Scutt is one of the most thrilling creative minds I’ve had the privilege to work with. What his plans are for New York are completely captivating. The idea is that you’re brought in as an audience not through the conventional way of the theatre — you’re met by an entire prologue cast of dancers and musicians. You are submerged into the world of Cabaret from the second you pass the threshold. For me, I hope it makes the experience — you will feel like you’re part of an all-consuming event. You will also get to witness Gayle’s Sally — Gayle is a volcano of talent — Bebe Neuwirth’s Fraulein Schneider, Ato Blankson-Wood’s Cliff, Steven Skybell’s Schultz. A staggering ensemble — the list goes on. So many exciting things.

Eddie, you’re following in the footsteps of two celebrated actors who played the role of the Emcee: Joel Grey and Alan Cumming. Any interaction with them?

ER: I haven’t with Alan since I’ve played it. I met Alan in Los Angeles years ago and he’s just an extraordinary talent. Joel, I had never met, but then I got through the first act of Cabaret on opening night in London, and at the interval some flowers arrived and I opened the card and it was from Joel Grey. And in the midst of our opening night show, opening his generous card was one of the great moments.

I was so haunted by this production when I saw it in London. The time feels right to see and experience Cabaret.

ER: There is something so searingly relevant with this piece. And I feel like whenever Cabaret is being done, it’s relevant. But with what’s going on in the world today, I feel like it’s a cautionary tale — it sings loudly and clear and it’s this idea of the fear of the other. The political gain of “othering” people. And that constant repetition of scapegoating and hatred is what we’re seeing in our politics now.

GR: I’m not sure what John Kander and Fred Ebb and Joe Masteroff were channeling when they were writing this — they were able to tap into something that’s so cyclical. And as a humanity, I think we all hope that Cabaret becomes not as relevant as it is.

---

[dearest-painter]

Itsss meeeee

Hiii

The idea of Doc ock!reader playing the emcee in a production of cabaret is so fun but what version would they be like? Alan Cummings, Devoid of much colour and mostly black and white makeup with skin showing without the coat? Eddie redmayne almost zero makeup and is rather colourful and energetic? Callum Howells, similar to Eddie redmayne yet has makeup and is more expressive? Or the original Joel gray(I think-), rather covered, another with alot of makeup and is also rather expressive?

What do you think?

I FUCKING LOVE IT! Ugh it’s so amazing! While I’ve never seen the musical, I love how this is! It’s amazing and I love the idea of it! It’s just 10/10! Chefs kiss! I want 3 shows of this, 2 movies, and 6 seasons!

[notebookmusical]

Hi! So sorry I haven't replied and this will probably be a shorter ask because I may forget some things. I'm so glad you had a great time and enjoyed all of your shows and I really enjoyed reading about them and your opinions and experience! 🩷

Omg CATS was your favorite!? Lol I do like it amd some of the songs are good and catchy..I did like seeing the dancing up close when I saw it on tour too. How do the songs work..was it still the same musical with songs and costumes just with more sophisticated ballroom dancing? Or was it more like drag glam costumes or something and what about the makeup..no whiskers? lol. I'm kinda confused how that would work but Im glad it worked and you enjoyed it so much. It seems really fun audience environment and energy throughout. What was Memory like since it's a slower song? Or even the staging..it doesn't really have a lot of staging sets so I'm curious about that. However I guess it would or might be similar to the Cabaret environment and staging and with audience interaction too I guess so maybe it could work if they wanted to stage it again but I'm not sure. What do you think of the new Cabaret leads btw? I thought she didn't really look the part at first but I saw some photos and would be interested in hearing audios. I also don't know how she will be in it while doing press for Moana 2 though. I used to be a fan of Adam Lambert and love his voice and think he could amp up the craziness of the Emcee's antics or be similar to Alan Cumming. Emma Stone will always be the perfecly marvelous Sally stunt casting to me though.

Romeo and Juliet with Rachel Zegler is also opening soon and I am super curious about that. It's apparently a play but has some music from Jack Antonoff? Is it not songs..idk which is a shame cuz I love her voice and I loved her as Maria In West Side so I think it could be good. I only brought it up now cuz that also seems like some kind of modern reimagining like what CATS or Cabaret tried to do but not similar at all or is it just that they updated from Shakespeare language probably.

Anyway the Notebook number two! Love the url change btw!!! I loved reading about the staging and will hopefully see it on tour even though this cast seemed pretty amazing so I'm happy for you! But I think it's so special the show means that much to you. I didn't know all 3 actors or versions were on stage during that time though...that's so cool. Is it always like that in other scenes or just for I Wanna Go Back? I'm sad its closing and I'm not sure why it didn't last longer. Reading what you wrote and how you described it right down to the rain scene reminded me of how I actually feel about the Outsiders too. Like about the music not being really Broadway but it just fits the show so well and makes so much sense. That show is also emotional and resonates with a lot of people and both shows are based on popular movies and I love how the shows are so different from them too. My Days reminds me or has the same message sort of as Stay Gold. Both shows make me nostalgic too..idk if it's cuz of the movies though. Idk if I ever asked you how you felt about it compared to the movie though. Were you a big fan of the movie and nervous about the adaptation? I knew Ingrid Michaelson would probably make it good but I didn't imagine it would turn out so well. Even hearing about adding another young version instead of two made it seem so different but now it's just like it expanded the story or message compared to just comparing it to the movie if that makes sense. I know some of the cast talked about that but moving it to the 1970s instead of the 40s kinda still confuses me if you could expand on that? I think I read that somewhere but I could be wrong.

Also..I'm sorry for mentioning Outsiders again there cuz you haven't read it or listened and I'm afraid you won't like it cuz it's the popular musical but I do agree with Newsies similarities cuz of the fans and popularity, brotherhood theme, and the relationship is sort of similar. They also both have hot leads lol but that's all I'll say and not in a fangirl way or anything, but I do love the whole cast and think they're so talented. I think it's popular for a good reason though so I hope you love it. Its like a mix of Grease, West Side Story and Newsies to me so if you love those shows you'll hopefully like it. I know people have problems with the music though and that's kinda it's own thing I guess. I may be biased cuz the book, story and movie already mean a lot to me too. I hope you don't mind this part and that it doesn't come off as annoying and not pressure. Also maybe the Newsies comparison only makes sense to me. I once compared Moulin Rouge to Hadestown and how Hades was sort of like the Duke and the whole forbidden love can't be together mixed with the tragic ending haha. But now I think Gatsby is a pretty close comparison to Moulin Rouge plot and show vibes wise with actual similar kind of music. I'm so sorry you didn't get to see Hadestown! I would've loved to hear about Jordan Fishers performance but I have seen some clips aIready. I hope you feel better from the migraines by now and well rested!

Omg I'm sorry Aaron seemed like such a disappointment the night you went! That really sucks especially wanting to see him live. Do you think actors should just call out at that point or did you still enjoy it? How was Roxanne? I always wonder how much of a show is just on autopilot after doing it so much but I also understand actors can just have an off night vocally too and I think I would be sort of disappointed to have an understudy since I could only see it once so I hope it was still good! Im glad you enjoyed JoJo's performance at least. I can't remember if you've seen the show live before or not. I'm also happy about the new cast and would like to hear John Cardoza since I'm familiar with his voice now.

Oh Mary seems like a good time and funny show but I do get what you mean about only needing to see it once. I'm sure I would at least enjoy it but there is just so many shows to see but I do like hearing more about it. I hope maybe they'll post more clips so I could see the humor. I do like Conrad Rica more too.

I've only seen the movie version of Once Upon a Mattress but I bet the stage version isn't so different and I'm familiar with it and the story in general as and I only remember a few songs. I think Sutton Foster singing Shy would be good though and it would be a fun less serious show in between.

I did listen to Stereophonic and enjoy the music so much! Bright and Masquerade are so catchy and I still sing them all the time or they get stuck in my head. I also knew it was similar to Daisy Jones too and that reminds me I still never watched, read or listened to all the music of it yet. I kinda forgot about it whoops. It was probably one of my favorite cast albums I listened to as far as the music staying with me. I was more curious about what you felt about how long the show was, or felt? Did you think some could be cut? What were the mood of most scenes..arguments or something else? I just don't know how it would be over 3 hours but I guess there is some songs to break it up. Is that why it was lower in your list or just you were tired and is it pretty similar to watching a musical or not at all?

Wow this is probably hella long so now I will reply and continue in a part 2!!!

my beloved pink heart anon i need you to know that i always smile whenever i see you in my askbox but i did in fact chuckle when you said this would be a short ask and i got three messages 🤍

i know! i was surprised too that cats: the jellicle ball was my favorite — i was actually getting coffee with an old friend this week and she asked me about my trip and the shows i saw she was just so shocked when i told her that because everyone knows just how much i dislike the original work. i think there are some songs that are cut or some are sped up a little? i don't remember them doing the awfull battle of the pekes and the pollicles, at least? i don't know how familiar you are with ballroom culture (would recommend watching paris is burning if you're interested!) but it was really just staged as a competition! the stage itself was very minimal, but very, very cool — basically just a cat walk and then the "cats" (humans in the ballroom community who called themselves cats) would strut + dance. there was a screen and they would project like, what category of the competition was going on and who the cats were, which was really neat! memory is a slower song and it's grizabella going up the staircase and it's just so gorgeous and touching. and yes! very immersive! actors would come around to grab props or would just interact with the audience depending on where you were sitting and it was so so fun!

i haven't been following this production of cabaret closely! but i've heard that people quite like adam and auli'i! i still have to watch the emma stone cabaret boot in full (sent with invisible ink, hanging my head in shame, etc). i've heard she's so good!!

r+j is so ... because like, obviously a play that has been around for hundreds of years cannot be spoiled. but also why is every element of the staging already spoiled for me? they haven't even been in previews for A WEEK and i'm seeing twitter videos and tweets everywhere. i'm (obviously) not anti-bootleg but i don't think that shows should be posted on twitter like that because it's not a concert!!! and filmers know what they're doing! audience members who are taking their phone out to film is just not it! it's distracting! it looks very cool — have seen people calling it brat summer r&j, and i do really like rachel zegler, rooting for her success always! very intrigued to see what people say of it once it opens/is a little more set in stone.

i loveeee shows that do a little more expanding/reimaginging of "classic" or "older" shows, like spring awakening deaf west, oklahoma 2019, gay oklahoma from 2018, cats: the jellicle ball, etc. i think it's amazing how much more depth can be added to shows just by direction, casting, and staging — even if not much in the original text itself has changed. like it is one of the things that makes me love musical theatre as an artform; how it's constantly growing and changing and improving and also the same.

for my beloved notebook: hehe thank you! and i managed to get sitpwgs (url) back so i can go back to it someday! we will see when! there are times where all three couples are on stage, or times where it's just young allie + middle allie/young noah + middle noah at the same time, and it's just really brilliant and beautiful, in my opinion. i'm really devastated that it's closing so soon, although have been expecting this just based on their abysmal numbers (same with water for elephants — been reading up on broadway's weekly grosses since i was in high school, and have a fair idea of what to expect by now). i really hope you're able to catch it on tour 🤍 i didn't particularly care for the book or the movie, but i really, really loved the musical! and i do enjoy ingrid's music — i do think the notebook's score works really well in the context of the show, not so much without it though. and yes! i thought it was still in the 40s too until i was making my most recent edit and realized it was actually in the 70s 😭. they changed it so the war that noah fights in is the vietnam war instead, and it is a lot more obvious in hindsight looking at the clothes/costumes!

please don't apologize for mentioning things! i always value what you have to say, even if i am not super well-versed in that subject yet! i've been getting back into the habit of setting monthly goals in terms of things to watch/read/listen to, and i think i'll get around to the outsiders next month. i definitely want to read it first (and maybe watch the movie first?) before listening to the cast recording. i really liked aaron's roxanne (it's always a treat, and he did the opt-up!); despite aaron's checked-out-ness he always sounds vocally great.

i really love john cardoza's voice, and i hope he has a wonderful, long lasting career. he is one of the most charismatic, talented actors i've seen in a hot minute. i wonder if oh mary will tour, and if so, i hope you get to see it! it's just delightful. i have a hard time conceptualizing what oh mary would look like without cole escola, without the current cast, just because they are so good.

i've never seen once upon a mattress and actually went in pretty blind — just vaguely knew that it was inspired by the princess and the pe — and i really liked it! that being said i am still confused about how old these characters are supposed to be. i hope they do a cast recording! i really really liked michael urie, he was so funny and charming in it!

did you see that stereophonic is getting sued? haha i literally turned to my friend after the show and was like how has this show not been sued yet. so i guess there it is. i love the music but the play itself is not my favorite. it feels SO long and that's part of it, i think — it's supposed to feel like it's dragging to encapsulate how much time they spent in the studio, etc. a lot of argument, a lot of tension. it was lower in my list because i was just miserable watching it, actually — i had a really bad migraine, the sound quality was weird (the music was very loud, the actual speaking parts weren't that loud), it was just long and i felt like i was going to pass out at any moment haha. so mostly a me thing and not a stereophonic thing! i do think if i was feeling a bit better, i probably would've loved it more!

my wrists have been aching a lot lately (yay tendinitis) so it may take me a little longer to reply to the other messages but 🤍 love you! hope you're doing well!

[madamemaximoff06]

Yes! How you described it is literally my exact thoughts! I love Alan as Emcee for so many reasons obviously besides his voice and his fantastic acting. He made me want to play Emcee (I’m a girl so obviously it’s not in the cards for me to play a character like him) I remember watching the 1993 pro-shot (I think it’s a pro-shot) and I was absolutely in thralled by him. He was this flirtatious, charming, confident, hilarious character and I was very attracted to him (still very much am especially after watching a lot more of Alan Cumming’s performances as Emcee in later productions of Cabaret because my god have you seen him!!! How is he so hot?!?!?!?! Hfhsidhskcjdjfckc) (the things I would let that man do to me 😳) Anyway several months later I had a bit of a gender crisis and I was getting some pretty intense Gender envy from Emcee and I couldn’t really place why. Was it because he was a dream role of mine? Was it because I had a lot of respect for the actor? That’s when it had hit me. It was because I wanted to be Emcee, not just in the musical but I wanted to have the same attributes as Him and to be Perceived like how he is. To be this confident person that’s alluring to people and can have the audience at the palm of their hand, to be a entertainer, To be proud of being queer and being able to express myself without a care in the world. To be able to explore myself sexually and to not be judged. To be this proud flirtatious sensual person, It’s the confidence that I was both envious of and also very attracted by. (thinking back on it now, a lot of my musical dream roles that are guys that I get major gender envy from are also some of them I’m very attracted to, example; Enjolras from Les Miserable, Judas from Jesus Christ Superstar, Gordon from Mein Avatar und Ich, Ché from Evita, obviously Emcee from Cabaret, Mercutio from Romeo e Giuletta (I get so much envy from him, basically for the same reasons as I get envy from Emcee, the confidence in himself, his cheekiness, and in the musical version his rapid sexuality, but also his is a tragic character, he is highly emotional and in a way I want to be able to express myself as passionately as he does) and there are so many others).

but you described my very thoughts exactly. (Sorry that this turned into a big rant but I could never find the right words to describe what I was feeling)

No thoughts, only Alan Cumming as the Emcee in Cabaret ♡

[normanrckwell]

Translation Troubles

There was a Cabaret and there was a Master-of-Ceremonies...

Back in December 2014, I was lucky enough to catch a showing of Cabaret, featuring the lovely Alan Cumming and Emma Stone. I still have the Playbill signed by both of them!

My favorite song is, if you have guessed from the blog title, Willkommen. So until recently, I’ve only listened to the Alan Cumming 1998 version of the song but guess what, folks, I found a full German version on Spotify!!! Since I’m currently learning German (properly, in an actual classroom!), I can’t stop listening to it. And you know what else? There’s actually a full album containing the German versions of all the songs!!! I’M BEYOND SHOOK.

So, the German, well, actually it’s an Austrian production, Emcee was played by Blanche Aubry in 1970. The songs are based on the very first production of Cabaret in 1966 so this version of Willkommen is pretty short and sweet, in contrast to Alan Cumming’s 1998 version which has all the detailed introductions of the various members of the KitKat Club, so it’s pretty long.

So, I tried to look for the lyrics of the Blanche Aubry version so I’d know what she’s saying in the spoken word part but nope, I found nothing. So yup. I did it. I done did it. I wrote the lyrics down all by myself. Well, okay, maybe not all by myself but with the help of DeepL (no this ain’t an ad lmao I wish it was) and a LOT of googling. It was very challenging especially since I’m still very much a beginner in German lol. There was a lot of pausing and rewinding and pausing and rewinding and... yeah. Yes, at first I just translated the original Joel Grey lyrics (1966 version) and it gave me most of the German lyrics but I think most of us know that translation in media is not always exactly one to one. Here are some difficulties I faced:

1966: Well, do not take my word for it! (DeepL: ‚Nun, glauben Sie mir nicht beim Wort!‘)

1970: Ja, dann verlasst euch nicht auf mich! (‘Yes, then don’t you rely on me!’)

What I had to do was google “German verbs starting with ver”. Yup. And I wasn’t familiar with euch and I’m generally confused about German pronouns anyway lol so verlasst euch was kinda mashed up together to me.

Speaking of pronouns. Oh boiii this song uses both ihr and Sie, which is veryyy confusing. I guess it’s for songwriting purposes because of the syllables? (I guess you could argue about the mixing of informal and formal pronouns to create a certain impression of the Emcee etc etc but let’s not get into that). Just some examples:

-Schön das Sie da sind,

-Bleibt hier

-Und jetzt präsentiere ich Ihnen

-Ihr glaubt mir nicht?

Oh and btw, they changed Glücklich zu sehen (‘happy to see’) to Schön das Sie da sind (‘happy that you are here’); idk if it’s maybe bc the original is ungrammatical?? My German isn’t advanced enough for this lol. Also, Bleibe to Bleibt hier, which, I’m guessing it’s because Bleibe doesn’t work for 2nd-person pronoun imperatives (I haven’t learnt the other forms of imperatives yet).

Here’s one I’m still having trouble with:

Sondern fragt sie selb!

(‘Ask her yourself!’)

I think that selb is supposed to be selbst but she definitely doesn’t say [st] at the end, so hmm...

Oh boi, this was the hardest part:

1966: Every night we have to battle with the girls to keep them from taking off all of their clothings! (DeepL: ‚Jede Nacht müssen wir mit den Mädchen kämpfen, um sie davon abzuhalten, alle ihre Kleider auszuziehen!‘)

1970: Jede Nacht müssen wir mit den Girls direkt kämpfen, dass sie nicht die Kleider vom Leiber reißen! (‘Every night we have to directly battle with the girls, that’s so they don’t rip the clothings off of their bodies!’)

I’m still not sure about the direkt there, honestly, but it’s what it sounds most like so I’ll leave it there. This part took me the longest, definitely. It’s the vom Leiber reißen part; at first I thought it was all one word lol. I had to google a list of German verbs to get this right LOL. As you can see from the German sentences, they’re VERY different.

Overall, this was a challenge, yes, but honestly it was a fun exercise! It definitely helped me to be more familiar with German, especially with the pronouns. When I have the time, wer weiß? I might do the same for rest of the album!

[cabaretdaily]

I thought your explanation of cabaret in response to that post was spot on, well done. Also I was wondering if you knew anything about the cast that's currently touring. I just saw the show for the first time with Leigh Ann Larkin as Sally and Jon Peterson as the emcee, and I thought it was phenomenal. I thought Peterson was especially fantastic, and watching YouTube clips I've found I liked his emcee better than a lot of the other people who've done it. (They were all great tho) Any thoughts?

Thank you very much for your kind words, I really appreciate it! :)

As to the currently touring cast, quite frankly I didn’t know much about it, but your ask made me very curious and I just did a small research. Sadly, I didn’t have an opportunity to see the revival version live (not yet at least), the only one I saw was a Polish non-replica version, about which I had quite a lot of objections.

Anyway, I checked out Jon Peterson’s interpretation of the Emcee, and I found two clips on Youtube (If You Could See Her and I Don’t Care Much), both from 2000 (so I don’t know if he’s very different now) and I really, really liked it! I love the timbre and overall sound of Jon’s voice and I greatly enjoy his acting - he’s doing his own interpretation without being a mere copy of Joel Grey or Alan Cumming (both of whom I love) and at the same time he’s not being over the top. I still wish I had more clips to see, or at least hear, because I don’t want to judge his whole interpretation basing on the two scenes solely, and I would love to see e.g. the whole bootleg with him or something.

Unfortunately I couldn’t find much of Leigh Ann Larkin, so I only watched her video in which she says a little bit about the show, and she seems to be a very nice person! I’m very curious about her voice and her acting, though. And she also looks gorgeous in the promo pics, so I will probably create a photoset soon.

I always gladly welcome any news or mini-reviews, so if you would like to share more thoughts, please feel free to do so! :)

[notebookmusical]

Hi! I hope you've had a good week and weekend. I am not as stressed as before like a few months ago and I think things are going to get better compared to the last month. It's mainly just been lonely I think cuz my sister hadn't been living with me. Omg that's fun..what shows are you going to see? It's so hard to choose lol. You'll have to let me know how they are.

Oh ya last year's Tony's I didn't watch either because I didn't have an antenna but I had one for this year. I still missed parts of the opening though and drank while watching. Oh no... that's an awful time to get it cuz it probably ruins the memory. I remember listening to the cast album of Pretty Woman before..maybe once but that's about it. What did you think of the show if you remember? It does not seem like a show you would want to go to based on some musicals you like lol but I hope it was okay. You can always share some more stories with me! :) I can't remember what else he's been in besides Company though.

Honestly the Cabaret performance was fine to me but you're right about it being polarizing and I'm not sure why. I honestly think that's just how the character of the Emcee is supposed to be. I really like Joel Greys and Alan Cummings versions but I like that he at least tried something a little different. I wonder how he interprets some other parts based on knowing the show. Oh I hope you are able to see The Notebook again on your trip. I heard about the Merrily proshot and am excited and think it's great. It will probably be better than the movie musical they're making at least. I don't know much about the musical but also don't know how to feel about it. I think they cast Paul Mescal and I'm not even sure he can sing lol but I don't remember too much about it. Except they are filming it over 20 years..which is something that could be cool or just off and not translate on screen so idk. What do you think about it? I can't really have an opinion cuz I'm not as familiar with the show and only know two songs I think. I don't know when I will watch the show but I would definitely wanna watch the proshot.

I am still listening to Broadway stuff for now so I am a little behind. I've listened to Outsiders, Hells Kitchen, Stereophonic and Suffs so far. I love Outsiders and Stereophonic. Stereophonic is just the kind of music I like and the Outsiders music fits the story pretty well. I am also biased because of the story haha, but idk if I would recommend it without knowing it. Like there was one part that they didn't have a song about and idk if I would've known about it without knowing it. So in that way it made me miss watching bootlegs! I wish I could watch a bootleg of this one specifically cuz it has a lot of cool effects, but I honestly don't know much about finding bootlegs anymore unless it's random. I mostly see full audio bootlegs with dialogue but eh. I think I saw a Lempicka video come up on my YouTube page so I might be able to watch it and then listen to the cast album which is what we used to do lol. Same with Hells Kitchen..I think I kinda was able to follow it but it' would be more fun to watch in my opinion..oh well. Suffs was one that I just let play and actually couldn't follow the story as much and was just paying attention to the music first so idk. I know a lot of people wanted it to win best musical over Outsiders but it didn't exactly impress me, but the plot is probably not for me either. I still have to listen to the Notebook, Water For Elephants, Illinoise, and yes, Gatsby..if only for Jeremy and Eva, so I'll let you know what I think. I've also listened to a few songs from Spring Awakening, and Sunday, and West Side Story this week. I realized how similar The Outsiders is to West Side Story mixed with like Newsies. I love the new url too haha.

I will definitely check out the updates. I always love your new recommendations. I definitely plan to listen to those albums maybe sometime this week. I have heard the song featuring Taylor and enjoyed it and they performed it live. I loved Taylor playing the mashup of the Lakes and I Hate It Here especially. I think she's just okay honestly..maybe because she's a nepo baby, but I did enjoy her last album. I heard a few of Charli's singles but it seems there's more production compared to her last album and idk what to think yet. I loved your album! What did you think of the albums? I hope you have an amazing week too and hope things are getting better in case they've been stressful or hard lately.

hi friend!!! happy july! i hope yours is off to a good start! do you have anything fun planned this month? i'm glad things are getting better or are a little more manageable!

i've currently only got tickets to see moulin rouge, but will be buying my stereophonic tickets soon hopefully! i think i'll go see the notebook if it's still open when i'm there (hopefully it is!) but am unsure if i want to also do a saturday matinee or if i'd rather just go see friends and go places! i just never have enough time in the city and i feel like there's not a whole lot on broadway that i want to see right now — if i wasn't going to see wicked on tour in november, i'd probably finally go see it on broadway! and same with back to the future; it's coming in december, i'm likely going to see it in december, i don't particularly mind waiting to see it. anddd the same with both six, and & juliet — they're both part of the upcoming season so i don't feel a huge desire to go see them!

i don't have an antenna either! i got a free showtime subscription i think? to watch it this year and in the past years i've just 🏴‍☠️d it haha. that was actually my second time seeing it! i saw it on broadway with the original cast in march 2019 — i think i liked the broadway cast more than the tour (the guy who played edward came across much older than vivian and they had very little chemistry and just felt very ... awkward and creepy haha) but i didn't love it by any means! just a fun night, which is fine!

ooh okay my favorite matt doyle story <333 he came to seattle to do an out of town tryout for a show called jasper in deadland (terrible show that i love love love dearly, saw it three times) and he was just the nicest, loveliest person at stagedoor (even though he was not having a good time here in seattle). just so so sweet. one of my friends loved the show and saw it 8 times and in jasper, his character has a little ... alter ego-y persona with a different voice and so i asked if he'd record a video in that voice saying happy birthday to her and he did and was sooo sweet about it. he was also in book of mormon and sweeney todd off-broadway for a hot minute!! and little shop! and he was in gossip girl haha.

i wonder if people would like cabaret more if they cast ... a stronger ... singer... ? it's really interesting to see how a lot of shows that do really well on the west end aren't necessarily received very well here and vice versa. like this production of cabaret is SO well-received there! and yes! they cast paul mescal, who can sing fine —here's a clip of him singing stars from les mis from back in the day! i think it's interesting they're filming over 20 years but also am worried about ... it taking 20 years? if that makes sense? like it's cool, sure, but ... will it work out? will everyone stay committed? will everyone still be available? just feels like a logistical nightmare... how is this being funded? etc.

i'm soooo excited to see stereophonic !!! ahhh !!!!! it's one of the main reasons i decided to take this trip (vs. going next season)! i'm happy to help you find bootlegs — just send me a message off anon/over dms hehe <333 i haven't listened to hells kitchen yet, but i want to soon! did you watch / do you watch the jimmys awards? i watched them the other day and was sooooo impressed by how talented everyone was! i am actually not a fan of suffs haha. my best friend loves it and keeps trying to get me to get into it but i ... do not want to! it's just not my thing! and thank you for the url compliment :") wait have you ever listened to spring awakening in full? i love it a lot but it's also quite heavy so please take care of yourself when listening!

i just watched spring awakening like two weeks ago in person and the production was .... not great !!!!!!! but i still love the show so dearly. i'm glad i went. even if that production was ... something. and yay!! i'm so glad you like my recommendations 🥺 i always love hearing yours as well and hearing from you! i really loved brat, and i do think the secret of us is growing on me but not my favorite gracie album! my favorite of hers is still minor, and then this is what it feels like and then good riddance!

hope you're doing well and staying safe my friend <3333 and staying cool!