Review: Dean College brings 'Cabaret' to life!

Cabaret girl Sally Bowles performing a number. Photo Credit: Cheryl's Photography

Dean College Theatre program presents the iconic Broadway musical Cabaret on the Main Stage. Step into the smoky, seductive, and daring world of Cabaret. This raunchy, captivating production features a live band and a powerhouse ensemble that pulls the audience right into the heart of the Kit Kat Klub. This electrifying Dean College performance, full of twists and turns and powerful moments, is a must-see.

Set in early 1930s Berlin, Cabaret follows American writer Clifford Bradshaw and cabaret performer Sally Bowles as they navigate love, art, and survival against the backdrop of a city on the brink of totalitarian rule. In the seedy Kit Kat Klub, the show’s dazzling performances contrast with the growing political unrest as the Nazi party comes to power. The musical remains a warning against society’s tendency to seek distractions when darkness looms.

With classic songs by John Kander such as “Wilkommen,” “Maybe This Time,” and “Cabaret,” Dean students are taking on the multi-Tony award-winning musical by storm.

Cabaret ensemble and their ring master. Photo Credit: Cheryl's Photography

The set immerses the audience into the electric world of the 1930s European nightlife. Golden lights hang from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the audience, and a bar is set in the corner of the seating. Cabaret performers swing and pose from the rails above, and the live band is playing once the audience arrives.

The production team has extended the stage and added cabaret-style tables for audience members, creating an immersive and intimate theatre experience.

For Director Maggie Pitts, the goal was to make audiences feel like they’ve truly stepped into the Kit Kat Klub. “My goal was to make the Main Stage feel like a Kit Kat club,” she said. “I want people to come in and feel like they’re not at Dean College, they’re in Berlin.”

Senior Mikayla Wry, who plays Fräulein Kost, said the immersive design makes the experience unforgettable. “The stage extension allows for more audience participation,” Wry explained.

To help the cast understand the historical gravity of the story, the production brought in Dr David Dennis, a Dean College professor of history, and a Berlin historian.“He gave an incredible lecture about the Weimar Republic and even showed the cast maps of Berlin,” Pitts shared. “It helped everyone connect with the world of the play on a deeper level.”

The Iconic Emcee. Photo Credit: Cheryl's Photography

To guide the audience through the narrative, a garish Master of Ceremonies welcomes the audience and assures them they will forget all their troubles at the Cabaret.

Senior Aiden Day, who plays the Emcee, described the character as central to guiding audiences through Cabaret’s blend of comedy, seduction, and darkness. His performance often blurs the line between entertainer and storyteller. “I think something that makes this performance so special to me is the audience interaction and the improv I get to play with throughout the show,” Day said. “It takes a really fun performance and brings it to the next level.”

Mikayla Wry explained how the cast had to work hard to connect with their iconic roles. She said, “I love Fräulein Kost. She is a very strong woman who has taught me a lot about my own confidence, and I cannot wait for people to see how powerful she is. I also learned some German for the show, which was a bit tricky, but very rewarding.”

“This show will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you think.” Mikayla Wry. Director Maggie Pitts also emphasised the challenge of balancing the show’s playful, performative energy with its darker historical context.

“Cabaret was one of the first concept musicals; the songs and dances at the Kit Kat Klub actually comment on what’s happening in the story,” Pitts explained. “It’s that contrast of joy and dread that makes the show so powerful.”

The show’s ending is chilling and can be seen as a ‘mirror’ for the issues that are ongoing today. Presenting one of the most defining musicals of all time, the Dean College theatre program has created an electrifying night of social history mixed with dazzling entertainment for all to enjoy.

Cabaret is sold out for the rest of their run. There are $5 Rush tickets available for Dean College students at the box office.