CABARET at the Kit Kat Club (2024) Opening Night Critics' Reviews- Page 14

[lopside]

Posted: 5/12/24 at 4:03pm

Liza Sadovy fro

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 5/14/24 at 11:58pm

Saw this tonight and thought it was absolutely exhausting, from nearly the beginning to the end. I don’t really understand what all that overdirection (and underdirection during the book scenes) was in service of.

Can’t say I really cared for the performances. Gayle Rankin had her moments in the book scenes, but the production doesn’t actually feel all that interested in Sally and she felt very much lost at sea. Eddie Redmayne is doing everything and the kitchen sink and is in near constant movement for no reason at all. Bebe Neuwirth and Steven Skybell are fine - especially him - but they ultimately don’t really register. Ato Blankson-Wood barely registers.

I just don’t know what all the choices were meant to add up to. Even the preshow promises an all-encompassing, seductive experience, but the show itself never delivered for me. I know many people feel the same, but the audience around me was absolutely raving and I was so turned off by the whole thing.

[MezzA101]

Posted: 5/15/24 at 10:12am

Emcee Squared: Joel Grey and Eddie Redmayne on ‘Cabaret’

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/15/theater/joel-grey-eddie-redmayne-cabaret.html?unlocked_article_code=1.sE0.cV3F.bg_eYQoOov2q

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 5/15/24 at 6:46pm

Well just saw the matinee. My seat was in the fake section of tables 3rd row. Yes, it’s tight in there.

This was a big MEH for me. The Sam revival was just amazing and you felt once Alan Cumming opened that door you would enter a crazy world. This did nothing for me. Gayle was “ok” I felt Sally was in the background shadowing the whole time. Gayle’s cabaret was lackluster and the audience was not having it (little applause). Eddie has no presence, his costumes were fun but something was missing. I never felt he was a master of ceremonies

I was kind of hoping Alan or Natasha (from the heavens) would come on the stage and say, “This is how you do it”  Bebe, Steven, and Ato (yes yes) were giving an excellent performance. 
The pre show was ok nothing thrilling in anyway. The audience had no clue were to go half of the time being cattled to the stairs and through this door and that door (a door being behind a curtain did not help) 

The drink prices are $$$. My partner and I decided to get one and it’s not worth the $30 (plus tip) we paid for. 
 

This cabaret is not the one we were waiting for. 

Updated On: 5/15/24 at 06:46 PM

[MezzA101]

Posted: 5/19/24 at 6:58pm

Eddie Redmayne on the staying power of Broadway’s ‘Cabaret’ - Gothamist

 

https://gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/eddie-redmayne-on-the-staying-power-of-broadways-cabaret

[MezzA101]

Posted: 5/20/24 at 10:03pm

Cabaret Transforms a Classic NYC Theater Into an Uninhibited German Underground | Architectural Digest

 

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/cabaret-transforms-a-classic-nyc-theater-into-an-uninhibited-german-underground

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 5/21/24 at 6:18pm

Updated On: 5/21/24 at 06:18 PM

[mikey89]

Posted: 5/24/24 at 2:25pm

I just saw the matinee on 05/18/24. I sat in one of the front tables with the dining packages. I honestly thought it was one of the most incredible shows of my 30 years of theater going. I have seen the Mendes revival and loved that as well. I thought everything was so creative, fun and wild. From the prologue flash mob to the vibe and mood of the piece it was something so special. It will never tour and be seen anywhere other than a sit down production. 

I thought Eddie Redmayne was amazing. You could feel his presence anytime he was onstage. He had menace, and comedy and pathos with even the most simple gestures. I thought his singing voice was great. He runs a marathon during this show and by the finale when he is in the suit and turns back into the emcee, both my friend and I were amazed. I fully believe he deserved his Tony nomination. 

Next, Gayle Ranking I thought was absolutely fabulous. She was seductive, funny, heartbreaking and her performance of the title song was the most thrilling number we saw on our 4 day theater trip. At least at the performance I saw, it completely brought down the house with thunderous extended applause after she had gone down the trap door. 

Bebe Neuwirth and Steven Skybell were also amazing. Their love story is the heart of the piece and "What would you do" stopped the show as well. I really hope Bebe pulls through with another Tony win. 

The onyl performance that was "meh" was Ato Blankston Wood as Cliff. I know its a thankless part but he really just didnt bring much to the table. He didnt seem into Sally at all despite Gayle really trying. 

We met Eddie Redmayne at the stage door as well as Mr. Skybell. They were both so gracious and spent so much time with everyone chatting about the show and how we liked it. 

If you have a chance to experience this show here in NYC, I know its expensive and a splurge, but it was one of my favorite nights of theater ever!

Updated On: 5/24/24 at 02:25 PM

[starlightlocamotion]

Posted: 5/24/24 at 6:01pm

I do wonder if the tides are shifting for Gayle. I saw it in previews & thought she was very strong. Friends that have gone recently hav said that she has blossomed in the role. I think she may be more in the mix than we think. 

[MezzA101]

Posted: 5/29/24 at 9:27am

Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club | 2024 Tony Award Nominee - YouTube

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oxnpELiey0

[Huss417]

Posted: 5/29/24 at 12:11pm

Cabaret is already up at TKTS for the matinee. 30% off $80.00-$150.00

[Kad]

Posted: 5/29/24 at 9:15pm

I saw the matinee today and found it to be a singularly frustrating production that seemed to be actively undermining my attempts to like it the entire time. Every time I thought a moment was strong, a scene was good, a visual was compelling, it felt like it immediately was followed by something baffling. And how can a production get rid of all the subtext of a show and end up with something that is less clear than it was?

Preshow is barely worth mentioning- pointless, except that the theater is nice and cool so you can beat the summer heat.

I do not understand this concept of the Emcee at all. Is Redmayne good or bad? I don't know, but he is Performing. It's a strange, but committed, and otherwordly performance, but the decision to turn the Emcee into an allegorical figure rooted in imagery and symbol over any discernible human element turns a seductive, grounded character into inscrutable performance art, one that left me trying to discern what, exactly, was being said with these choices. And these choices extend to all of the Kit Kat Club songs- weird tempo, confusing staging, gimmicky visual conceits. The lack of clarity around this central pillar of the musical ends up knocking the legs out from under the whole production for me.

I thought Rankin was excellent... in her book scenes. Her Sally is a layered, subtle, and deep characterization- believable, pitiful, desperate, and ultimately tragic. But then when she's doing one of her numbers, she is straitjacketed by Fracknell's conceit for the number. The title song is contortions and shouting, "Mein Herr" is languid and muddy.

Bebe and Skybell, both excellent as well.

Pedro Garza was on as Cliff and I thought he was very, very good! He leaned into Cliff's less pleasant characteristics- this is really the first time I realized that Cliff is kind of a dick to Sally, forcing his expectations onto her. It gave him more depth.

But overall I was just... frustrated. Frustrated because this should've been better. But ultimately, it felt like it was created by people who have never even been to a nightclub.

[east side story]

Posted: 5/30/24 at 6:00pm

New York audiences are really not into this production. I think the missing ingredient is Jessie Buckley, because this show (and Eddie) was the toast of London in the winter of 21/22.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 5/30/24 at 6:12pm

east side story said: "New York audiences are reallynot into this production. I think the missing ingredient is Jessie Buckley, because this show (and Eddie) was the toast of London in the winter of 21/22."

 

As is clearly evidenced by the nearly $2M weekly grosses.

 

[bwayobsessed]

Posted: 5/30/24 at 10:03pm

Tonight’s show paused after So What for an “emergency in the house” and actors were asked to leave the stage. It probably held for like 10 minutes before resuming. I could an area with flashlights before and then that row was empty 

[MezzA101]

Posted: 6/2/24 at 8:44pm

How ‘Cabaret’ became Broadway’s hottest ticket — and most divisive show

 

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/cabaret-became-broadway-hottest-ticket-185338427.html

[Will3700]

Posted: 6/3/24 at 9:05am

My sister and I saw the show Saturday night as I’d saved the prime time for this because I love Cabaret so much. Well to say I was disappointed is an understatement. I didn’t like it at all. I’m  all for Revivals taking liberty with the book and song arrangements but this Show did it and it didn’t work for me. Most of Sally’s songs were unrecognizable and I thought she screamed more than sang, and Eddie Redmayne was just ok but I compare him to Neil Patrick Harris and Alan Cumming so that’s on me. Steven Skybell and Bebe Neuwirth were the highlights of the show for me . And don’t get me started on those costumes lol and that anticlimactic ending lol I’m glad I saw it but it was definitely at the bottom of the 9 Show trip. Merrily, Appropriate and Mother Play at the top. 

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 6/3/24 at 12:28pm

JSquared2 said: "east side story said: "New York audiences are reallynot into this production. I think the missing ingredient is Jessie Buckley, because this show (and Eddie) was the toast of London in the winter of 21/22."



As is clearly evidenced by the nearly $2M weekly grosses."

Most of these sales were made long before the reviews hit and previews started, let's see what happens come the fall/winter or once Eddie departs but the word of mouth is mixed for sure after people see it

 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 6/3/24 at 12:36pm

Word on the street is that the next Emcee this fall will be commanding even higher ticket prices than Redmayne.

 

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 6/3/24 at 12:46pm

JSquared2 said: "Word on the street is that the next Emcee this fall will be commanding even higher ticket prices than Redmayne."

Any idea of who that could be?

[Flowerlovestage5]

Posted: 6/4/24 at 11:23am

We saw this last evening. Cabaret is one of my favorite shows. From professional productions to community players, I love the story. That said, I did not care for this revival at all. 
 
Possible Spoilers:  Granted it was MY decision to experience the table package and join for the pre-show prior to curtain. Walking down the alleyway, up and down steps to go back to the main lobby, where the “pre-show” waits you.. anticlimactic.  The cast is talented on the platform they perform but I felt forced to stand there, waiting to be let back up into the theatre, as I felt like I was at the Olive Garden. Beautiful velvet curtains are draped everywhere, with some unique art on the walls before entering to your seat. We were encouraged to explore all levels but how many times do I need to see a bar drenched in red lighting? It did not set the tone for the evening as it’s an excuse to pay more for the gimmick (if you choose). 
 
The reconstruction of the theatre is beautiful including the added mezzanine that overhangs on the west side of what used to be the original proscenium. They did fabulous work. The rounded stage and minimal set does work for this (or any) production in my opinion. Unfortunately, the in-house renovations were the star of the show. 
 
Redmayne is giving a good performance but is overshadowed by his costumes. He’s also blurred out by all around him when not solo on stage. Though I found similar threads to that of Joel Gray. His interpretation is distracted by the above mentioned and garbled diction, is both difficult to understand in spoken and song form. I was the second table in from the stage, that’s a problem. 
 
Neuwirth was serviceable and her cool demeanor suits the part, at times. There were flecks of vulnerability and fear but I never felt she was stretching much for the role.  She and Skybell had a descent chemistry together and he is the strongest of the two. The staging works very well for their big number but I didn’t have much of a connection for their struggle. I kept excepting Neuwirth to crack a line from Frasier and leave him with the pineapple and dry wit. 
 
Blankson-Wood as Cliff. A talented man who was giving 100% thought it felt he was in an entirely different production than everyone else. I understand the the characters sexuality and all that is implied for the times. I didn’t feel he was attracted to Sally for two seconds let alone would even want to room with her. I didn’t get the sense he would even go out with her for happy hour let alone want to relocate to save their baby and lives. He and Rankin were trying but he was completely miscast for this. I would have preferred to see his take on the Emcee actually. 
 
Gayle Rankin: ”Maybe This Time” was her strongest number. It was layered and her choices were clear and driven. Truly beautiful work.  She had many layered moments. I think she is perfectly cast for this role and really creating an original take on the part, all her own. Her finale number is compelling but it falls prey to the production around it. She’s miscast with Cliff which didn’t lead me to care about her journey. The direction of their final number (about the doctor, baby, etc) is directed nicely but left me cold. Rankin was spinning her wheels but I didn’t feel she came from somewhere or had room to go further. 

Rankin is left to pick up the pieces and steer her own ship. I’d like to see her give this performance in a different production whizzing around her. If that makes any sense. The Kit Kat Club, the room and board situation, and her relationship with Cliff all were not as grounded as she was. Nothing helped to enhance her journey or explain it. The final moments of the show left me extremely cold and were abrupt. 
 
The KKC chorus: Talented yes, but why must I watch whisks and baguettes being pulled out of a persons backside or handled inappropriately? I have a sense of humor and get that this is supposed to be a raucous club in a sexy setting. The chorus woman with her “hands down her pants” was not amusing or charming. The same could be said for the pant-less sailors, though that works in the scripts favor. 

I understand there was plenty that was considered to be risqué and full out sexual about the Mendes production. But in regards to my previous comments about whisks, baguettes, and touching of one’s self - it’s as in your face as Madonna making out with Britney Spears. 

it’s neither shocking in todays world or necessary to the script. Neither is the killer clown outfit. This entire production is screaming for attention from the pre show to the props, and vulgarity that isn’t going to save a misguided production. Rankings title number was very solid but wasn’t earned at all by the story line we were directed to follow.

Don’t get me started on the microphone Redmayne uses for the opening acts (at times). I understand they had microphones back then but talk about taking me out of 1930’s Berlin and into a Hanson Brothers concert. 

The orchestra is wonderful! Unfortunately, this entire “experience” is the epitome of meaningless connections with over the top sparkle to try and make an extra buck. The same could be said for most of Broadway these days, but this production proves that you can push a gimmick just to get those prices.
 
Neon hallways and velvet curtains are not saving this Cabaret. 


 Please excuse any typo’s … 

 

Updated On: 6/4/24 at 11:23 AM

[gibsons2]

Posted: 6/4/24 at 11:31am

Dylan Smith4 said: "JSquared2 said: "Word on the street is that the next Emcee this fall will be commanding even higher ticket prices than Redmayne."

Any idea of who that could be?"

Harry Styles. I'm just making stuff up, but he'd be great.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 6/4/24 at 11:42am

Does anyone of if Neuwirth or Skybell have any time off coming? I'd like to see the show for them. 

[yyys]

Posted: 6/4/24 at 11:51am

If you click on the date and doesn't have casting alert, then they should be there:

July 10: 2 PM: Casting Alert: The role of Sally Bowles will be played by Gabi Campo at this performance.

July 15: 730 PM: Casting Alert:  The role of the Emcee will be played by Marty Lauter at this performance.

 

everythingtaboo said: "Does anyone of if Neuwirth or Skybell have any time off coming? I'd like to see the show for them."

 

[MezzA101]

Posted: 6/5/24 at 10:29am

No sets? Few props? No problem, says Bebe Neuwirth on 'deconstructed' 'Cabaret' revival | AP News

 

https://apnews.com/article/bebe-neuwirth-cabaret-tony-awards-84eab89700e7dfa17107751234017a42