Joel Grey Recalls Candid CABARET Memories

Multi-award-winning stage and screen star Joel Grey recounts his legendary participation in the iconic Broadway and Hollywood adaptations of John Kander and Fred Ebb's classic musical CABARET in a new featurette.

Grey discusses his original casting in the first Hal Prince production of the piece as well as his association with the songwriters and director themselves - and, also, the finer points of the idiosyncratic character, the Master Of Ceremonies aka Emcee.

Additionally, Grey outlines the "very helpful" input of real-life Weimar icon Lotte Lenya, who co-starred in the original production.

"You know, you have to find something to like about him - he was just trying to survive!" Grey says of the Emcee.

Yet, he qualifies his statement shortly thereafter, relaying, "However, he was such a terrible influence - and, a Nazi."

Furthermore, Grey insightfully shares: "Hitler at the time way saying to people, 'I'll give you bread - I'll give you everything!' And, people believed him. The Master Of Ceremonies says, 'Life here is beautiful - come with me!' And, at the end, the Jews are murdered."

"No one had ever seen a musical like CABARET until we did it," Grey adds.

Plus, Grey opines, "It was very, very outrageous - and sexual. I think people really forget that it was a ground-breaker."

View the new featurette on CABARET featuring Joel Grey below.