Cabaret - Theatre Three | 9.19.26
Photo Credit: Steve Cruz/ShotbyCruzTheatre Three Productions of Port Jefferson is currently producing the Broadway musical “Cabaret” from September 19th to October 25th. With a book by Joe Masteroff and music/lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, it takes place in Berlin during the Jazz Age and during the time when the Nazi party was slowly rising to power. It features amazing music and dazzling dance numbers with a story that depicts the challenges of romance and relationships during a troubling time.
This was my first experience with the show, and I honestly thought I was going to see a story about a cabaret singer who was downtrodden and climbed through the ranks to become a star. I expected to see the story of the life and career of Sally Bowles and whoever else we meet along the way. I couldn’t have been more wrong! This story is about so much more - starting with the Emcee, played by Will Stokes. Serving as the Master of Ceremonies for the Kit Kat Klub where Sally performs, the show opens with him singing “Willkommen” alongside other cabaret members. Stokes’ stage presence is immediately apparent and captivating. We then meet Cliff Bradshaw (played by Jason Furnari) who is an American writer who traveled to Berlin to work on a new novel. Looking for a place to live, he runs into Ernst Ludwig (played by Steven Uihlein) who suggests that he inquire about Fraulein Schneider’s (played by Phyllis March) boarding house. Cliff explains his plight - and lack of funds - to Schneider and she reluctantly agrees to accept half of her usual rate and takes him on. It is here that March sings “So What?” with wonderful personality - no matter the role, she makes you feel endeared to her character and it works well here!
Sari Feldman.Photo Credit: Steve Cruz/ShotbyCruz
Shortly thereafter, Cliff visits The Kit Kat Klub and we get a proper introduction to the club and Sally (played by Sari Feldman) where neither disappoint. Sally and The Kit Kat Girls seductively deliver “Don’t Tell Mama” and you don’t want it to end! The choreography was fantastic and amazingly executed and vocally, Feldman doesn’t miss a beat. She is confident and strong leading this rousing number and it doesn’t stop there! The following song “Mein Herr” was a crowd favorite and arguably one of the best numbers in the show!
Anyone that has been following my reviews for any amount of time knows that I am a huge fan of Josie McSwane’s choreography (who served as choreographer in this production) and this show is no exception. You will be an instant fan too after these numbers! The choreography was appropriate for the setting and worked well with everyone on stage. Too often you have great dancers in the front and you’ve got the fake-it-till-you-make-it crowd in the back.
No shade - that’s always where I reside in a dance number!
But not in a McSwane show! Everyone knows exactly what they are doing and are confident in doing so. Everything is clean and crisp and that is just as much to the credit to the dancers as it is to the choreographer - very nicely done.
Douglas Quttrock and Phyllis March.Photo Credit: Steve Cruz/ShotbyCruz
I also picked up on some fantastic chemistry between Feldman and Furnari - I may even be so bold as to say this was the best performance I’ve seen from Furnari! Cliff has so many ups and downs throughout the show and he played them with ease. I’ve never seen Furnari show so much emotion and there were scenes in Act 2 where tensions were high and I was astounded by his performance and delivery. Welcome back to Theatre Three, indeed! I also thoroughly enjoyed Furnari and Feldman together on “Perfectly Marvelous” in Act 1. I’m pleased to say that it lived up to the name! You’ll love seeing these two interact. Feldman’s rendition of “Maybe This Time” - possibly the most well-known song in the show - was outstanding. Beautiful, poignant, and reflective…it hit all of the right notes, literally and figuratively. Thankfully, this wasn’t the only pair that was fun to watch! I greatly enjoyed the chemistry between March and her love interest, Herr Schultz (played by Douglas Quattrock). Quattrock was the perfect choice to work alongside March, as he is equally endearing and you find yourself rooting for their relationship.
I don’t like giving too many plot points once we get into Act 2 because I fear that would take away from the experience a bit. What I will say however is that March’s song in the second act - “What Would You Do?” was incredibly moving. It explores some themes that are relevant today, like what your actions might be if everyone around you felt and behaved one way and expected the same from you. Would you ‘follow the leader’ or forge your own path? Questioning this in the context of the show and knowing the climate we are currently living in is a wonderful moment for self reflection and thought. For me, that is one of the beautiful things about theater. Of course it is there to entertain, but it is also to begin thought and conversation…especially with the harder topics. That message rings loud and clear during Act 2 and it is quite powerful.
Kudos to Theatre Three and the team there for taking this on and making sure the message was received. From a creative/technical standpoint, this theater never misses. They understand the space they are working with and always execute perfectly - from the eye-catching “Kit Kat Klub” sign, to the stunning lighting design, right down to the costumes - there was no shortage of things to look at and everything was visually appealing. I can’t say enough good things about this one! If you are looking for an entertaining night out that will spark thought and conversation on the way home - “Cabaret” has everything you’re looking for.
“Cabaret” is running until October 25th and tickets can be purchased in person at the box office, over the phone, or via their website at www.theatrethree.com.
Full Company.Photo Credit: Steve Cruz/ShotbyCruz
Cast:
Emcee - William Stokes
The Kit Kat Girls
Rosie - Haley Saunders
Lulu - Erin Plitt
Frenchie - Maria Cutaia
Texas - Michelle Su+
Fritzie - Angie Barrientos
Helga - Melina Piervencenti
The Kit Kat Boys
Bobby - Kiernan Urso
Victor - Edward Martinez
Hans - Ruben Fernandez
Herman - Zac Thompson
Sally Bowles - Sari Feldman
Clifford Bradshaw - Jason Furnari
Ernst Ludwig - Steven Uihlein
Customs Official - Ruben Fernandez
Fraulein Schneider - Phyllis March
Fraulein Kost - Rachel Geiser
Rudy - Edward Martinez
Herr Schultz - Doug Quattrock
Max - Bryan Bowie
Chanteuse - Rachel Geiser
Gorilla - Angie Barrientos
+ Dance Captain
Creative Team:
Director - Jeffrey Sanzel
Choreographer - Josie McSwane
Music Director - Jeffrey Hoffman
Production Stage Manager - Melissa Troxler
SOUND Design - Tim Haggerty
Scenic Design - Randall Parsons
LIGHTING DESIGN & Technical Direction - Steven Barile, Jr.
Costume Design - Jason Allyn
Wig & Make-Up Design - Ally Humanitzki
The Kit Kat Band:
Piano/Conductor - Jeffrey Hoffman
Reeds 1 - Bill Kinslow
Reeds 2 - Dave Fletcher
Guitar - John Dericco
Trumpet - Steve Henry
Trombone - Diane Hoffman
Bass - Dave Grudzinski
Drums - Don Larsen
