A 1966 musical set in 1931 Berlin continues to have relevance in today’s heated political times, says Port Coquitlam’s Valerie Easton who’s directing Cabaret for the Royal City Musical Theatre that opens next Thursday.
The rising tide of the Nazis in the pre-Second World War era in Germany — and the hatred and violence that followed under Hitler’s regime — has similar parallels to what’s happening around the world, especially in the U.S. as President Donald Trump ramps up his rhetoric and protectionist policies, she said.
“It’s a theme that never gets dated,” said Easton, who has directed about a dozen musicals for the New Westminster theatre company. “The racism, sexism and bigotry have always been there…. Where we are now in the world, it’s not new.”
Easton said she wanted RCMT to produce an edgier musical than in years past to appeal to a different demographic. Previous shows have been more family friendly — such as Annie, My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof and last year’s Anything Goes — but she stressed her Cabaret isn’t X-rated and is suitable for high school students, especially those studying history.
“There are three or four versions of Cabaret and the material is the same but it depends on how you interpret it,” Easton said. “We wanted to show the Nazis and the greed and the hatred happening back then because it says a lot about society. And it has a very, very touching couple of people in it who are not perfect, which I think is very refreshing.”
Easton added, “Cabaret is not Oklahoma where you put the vaseline on your glasses. We’ve had strong themes in other productions, too: West Side Story and A Chorus Line, for example. It’s there and we’re not going to gloss it over.”
Lauren Bowler plays the part of American cabaret singer Sally Bowles — portrayed by Liza Minnelli in the 1972 film by Bob Fosse — while Andrew Cownden is the emcee. Tri-City actors Callie Anderson, Tim Howe, Daniel Cardoso and Owen Scott also have roles in the spring musical.
• Cabaret, under the musical direction of James Bryson, runs April 12 to 29 at the Massey Theatre (735 Eighth Ave., New Westminster). Tickets are $48/$39/$29 by calling 604-521-5050 or visiting ticketsnw.ca. Go to royalcitymusicaltheatre.com.
