Macabaret - A Ghoulish Good Time

Macabaret opened at the Theatre Building Chicago last night as a part of the Porchlight Music Theatre's Fifteenth Anniversary Season.  The production runs on the west stage, home to current Porchlight production, The Fantasticks, now through November 1^st.  Directed by Artistic Director, L. Walter Stearns with music by Rob Hartmann and lyrics by Scott Keys, Macabaret invites you to join the "Corpse de Cabaret of the undead" in a comically ghoulish romp.  Have you ever wondered what would happen if the Emcee from Cabaret had a baby with Dr. Frankenfurter from The Rocky Horror Picture Show? That child would be Macabaret.

Alright, I have to confess that I was prepared for a night of processed cheese melting under stage lights.  I personally cannot stomach holiday-themed theatre (regardless of the holiday) and this was the second Halloween-themed show I reviewed in the past three weeks. However, I am happy to say that I was completely wrong about this show.  The production recalls the decadent intimacy of an old-time cabaret.  If you're lucky to get in, you don't want to leave.  The music is outright hilarious.  One of the funniest musical moments of the night was two chanteuses bemoaning how they are literally "going green" (get it?  They are molding) for their eco-friendly lovers, yet they still get treated like "dirt." (All puns intended.)

The cast (Virginia Brazier, Cameron Brune, Heather Townsend, Rachel Quinn and Stephen Rader) deserves note for their stellar work under less then optimal conditions. They are working literally on the set of The Fantasticks under that horrific light plot.   This production actually makes this stage work better, playing everything down stage with found atmosphere-enhancing lighting options. 

The cast displayed solid harmonies that were a pleasure hitting your ears.  The adorable Virginia Brazier had impeccable comedic timing that was sadly underused.  When she is on stage, your eyes cannot help but be drawn to her. Stephen Raider deserves mention for his perfectly nuanced delivery of "The Boy who cried Wolf" story. Cameron Brune deserves mention as well as the ghoulishly sexy Phil Graves, the emcee of this "Macabaret."   He makes you glad that you were along for the ride, when he brings you to tears singing the question would "you love me in the light."  It was the show's true high point.  Check it out before it closes November 1st. www.porchlighttheatre.com