Unprecedented — it’s a word this country has gotten accustomed to. “We are living in unprecedented times,” “these actions are unprecedented,” “what we are witnessing is unprecedented,” and many similar phrases have been used frequently in recent times. When every news story is thrown at you constantly, loudly, and urgently, everything can feel unreal and overwhelming. It’s why we scroll or bury ourselves in things like the latest TV show, books, or work.
In a time where problems feel too large and fears too deafening, St. Olaf Theater’s production of “Cabaret” reminds us not to hide from these intense feelings but to face them. The musical was staged in Kelsey Theater from March 19 to 22, with all of the shows selling out.
Set in 1930s Germany, “Cabaret” follows Clifford Bradshaw, played by Kevin Kodalen ’26, as he witnesses Berlin during the rise of Nazism. Taking center stage is the Kit Kat Club, a hedonistic nightclub, and its members — most notably the Emcee, played by Avari Parker ’29, and Sally Bowles, an English cabaret performer, played by Christine Whear ’26.
Putting on the musical is itself a balancing act, given the nuanced characters and sensitive themes. However, St. Olaf Theater walked the tightrope well. The production showcased the raw emotions and expressions of various people who lived in Berlin at the time — from a pro-Nazi German, Ernst Ludwig, played by Wilson Lindberg ’27, to a Jewish fruit vendor, Herr Schultz, played by Aidan Busse ’27, who has a sad love story with boarding house owner Fräulein Schneider, played by Hailey Guptail ’27.
The backbone of the production was the Kit Kat Club Ensemble, whose members played multiple roles and set up the stage in between scenes while engaging the audience with their charm. Parker and Whear delivered what I would consider the two most memorable performances of the show with “If You Could See Her” and “Maybe This Time,” respectively. Their vocal range and commitment to their characters held my attention and emotion throughout the two and a half hours.
The department’s production of “Cabaret” held the campus community’s attention since its opening night. I believe it did so because the show’s true meaning lurked behind the spectacle, and then sank its teeth into the audience when least expected at the end of Act One. From then on, it was a rollercoaster of intense emotions that had me clutching my imaginary pearls and had my stomach aching from holding my breath and crying.
“Cabaret” displays numerous social and political parallels to what the American public is currently facing. St. Olaf Theater’s production reminds everyone of the power of the observer, their social responsibilities to respond to pivotal events, and the consequences of complacency. As Assistant Professor of Theater and “Cabaret” Director, Sara Pillatzki-Warzeha wrote in the director’s note of the playbill, “If these past few months have taught us anything here in Minnesota, I think it’s how crucial the job of witness is.”
In a time where people would prefer quick distractions, “Cabaret” forces its audience to not only take in its characters, but also confront their feelings of discomfort and question their own real life actions, or lack thereof.
