Review: 'Cabaret'

"Leave your troubles outside," the blatantly bisexual Master of Ceremonies commands at the top of the show assuring us that life in the Kit Kat Klub is "bee-u-tiful."  But is it? In the scenes that follow we meet people desperately trying to hold on to what little they have in pre-Nazi Berlin: A struggling novelist, a sexually promiscuous singer, a spinsterish landlady, and a fruit shop owner who is German but also Jewish.

Charlene Pottruff is a vivacious Sally Bowls. She has a strong belt that proves effective in communicating her rage in the musical's celebrated title song as Sally decides to get another abortion.  Her lover, Cliff, is played by Martin Van Helden who handles the dramatic arc exceedingly well. He sings pleasantly enough, though the role offers little chance to sample his singing voice.

Balancing the story of Sally and Cliff is the touching tale of the landlady Fraulein Schneider and her affair with the Jewish fruit shop owner, Herr Schultz. Don Berns brings charmed assuredness to Schultz, but the really memorable performance here is Gloria Buchert's sensitively acted portrayal of Schneider. It's a performance capped by her anguished cry in her exit song, "What Would You Do."

Add to this Thom Richard Henry's turn as the MC, who dares us to think carefully about what is happening.  Fortunately this version of the script includes the song "I Don't Care Much", which he delivers with genuine pathos.

Even the supporting roles are finely tuned including Danny Harvey as the Nazi-in-training Herr Ludwig and Maria De Palma as the pragmatic prostitute, Fraulein Kost.

Director Michel Buchert keeps the show moving at a steady and focused pace so the performance never lags, even in the more somber second act. Oh, there are one or two transitions that take a little longer than perhaps they should, but overall he and the cast do an exemplary job of making this show work on the Meadowvale stage.

Cabaret continues at Meadowvale Theatre January 27, 28 and 29 at 8pm with a 2 pm matinee on Saturday. For tickets call the box office at 905-615-4720. Be advised that Cabaret has mature subject matter and is not recommended for children.