I recently wrote about Providence's Majestic Theater. I did that because RI is proud of the theater that is a national landmark and because I happen to love that old theater. Even if most of the artistic beauty was removed during the renovations that were made, it remains comfortably charming with a touch of the original grandeur. I also feel that there is not a bad seat in the house, and I'm including the bench seats in the last row. Oh, the benches are narrow and a bit too high off the floor, especially for me, so when I'm sitting there with my legs a'dangling and my butt a'straddling, it doesn't take long for me to notice some discomfort. Yet, I love these seats, for I can see the entire theater, I have a rail in front of me to lean on, I can stand or sit at will, and I never have anyone blocking my view or interrupting me...plus, the bench seats are the least expensive seats.



I also wrote about Trinity Repertory Theater, the Tony award-winning troupe that makes that fine theater it's home. Rhode Island is very proud of Trinity Rep and I happen to love seeing any Trinity Rep performance that I am able to see. I've seen quite a few over the years, actually. Some of the more notable plays have been Tintypes, Julius Caesar, and Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol.


Well, this year, Edie and I got to go to that theater and to see that troupe again.






And, this time, we went to see Cabaret!




It was definitely a spirited revival of the classic Broadway musical. Set in 1931 Berlin, the story takes place in the German definition of "kabaret", which is a music hall, instead of a piano bar that the term often means to modern audiences. What starts out as an entertaining story with a fair share of fun, humor, optimism, and light-heartedness, turns into a dramatic, troubling depiction of life during the rise of the Third Reich, which, often times, could be related to other events throughout history. Cabaret was written by Joe Masteroff, based on the novel Goodbye to Berlin, the autobiographical stories of gay writer Christopher Isherwood. It told of his life during the waning days of the Weimar Republic. It was first adapted into a play called I Am a Camera. Cabaret made it's musical debut on stage in 1966, became a multi-Oscar winning film in 1972, and became the Best Musical Revival in 1998.

I was so excited and anxious to see this show and, believe me, I was not disappointed. Directed by Curt Columbus, the show starred Rachael Warren as Sally Bowles, the Kit Kat Club's beautiful chanteuse, and she was remarkably good in the role. I did enjoy Mauro Hantman in the role of Cliff Bradshaw, the young American writer, and Phyllis Kay as landlady Fraulein Schneider, but I was most charmed and drawn to Stephen Berenson's portrayal of grocer Herr Schultz. His performance was so natural that it didn't seem like he was acting at all. And, of course, I was extremely pleased with the musical score. However, Joe Wilson, Jr., as Cliff, the club's Emcee (who also acts as the commentator to the story's action) delivered the most notable performance. He had me laughing, crying, tapping my toes, and feeling the intensity of the sadness and fear of the fate that was at hand. The revival version of his character as a bisexual in a production that is now more sexually charged added more realism to his character and the story.


Rachael Warren as Sally Bowles in Trinity Rep’s Cabaret

It was truly an evening to remember. Perfect weather for being in the city, another chance to be in that beautiful theater and to see a Trinity Rep performance, and the opportunity to experience an exceptional performance of Cabaret, and all for only $10 per person! So, tell me, why would I complain about an uncomfortable bench seat?