Cabaret at Monument National

Cabaret is a musical set in early 1930s Weimar Berlin, during a time of political and social upheaval. The story unfolds in part within the walls of the Kit Kat Klub, a decadent nightclub where the charismatic Emcee and the club’s star performer, Sally Bowles, lead the audience through a series of vibrant yet haunting performances. Against the backdrop of a city teetering on the edge of radical change, the lives of the club’s patrons and performers become increasingly entangled. On the outside of the Kit Kat Klub, the story follows Cliff Bradshaw, an American writer who arrives in Berlin searching for inspiration and finds himself immersed in the spirited yet increasingly tense world of Sally Bowles. As the world outside grows increasingly oppressive, the characters' personal struggles mirror the encroaching darkness, ultimately posing the question: how long can one ignore reality before it consumes everything?

At Contact, our production of Cabaret will reimagine this iconic musical as a powerful reflection on the dangers of complacency in the face of rising authoritarianism. We invite the audience to step into this past world, where the line between entertainment and reality blurs. Our production aims to challenge the audience to reflect on the role of art, love, and identity in current turbulent times by stepping with us into the glitz of the past.

Authors

• Christopher Isherwood
• Fred Ebb
• Joe Masteroff
• John Kander
• John Van Druten

Tony Awards and Nominations for Cabaret