Quote of the Day: I am a camera with it’s shutter open, quite passive, recording, not thinking. Recording the man shaving at the window opposite the woman in the kimono washing her hair. Some day, all this will have to be developed, carefully printed, fixed. Christopher Isherwood, Goodbye to Berlin.

The classic and timeless musical Cabaret is on stage at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, MN, June 21 – August 24. 2025. With its sexy and alluring songs, movement, and costumes and unforgettable characters, Cabaret is the kind of show that mesmerizes with its dazzling moments and devastates with the imminent doom of a pre-WWII Berlin, Germany. Director Joe Joseph Haj brings out the tantalizing with the terrorizing. 

Cast of Cabaret at the Guthrie Theater, thru 8/24/25. Photo: Dan Norman

The story is based on the writing of Christopher Isherwood from the time he spent in Berlin in the early 1930’s. It was a time of artistic and sexual freedom, and people were attracted to the nightlife of cabarets and the intimacy of salons, losing themselves in these distractions while the world spun towards another devasting war and unimaginable cruelty. Isherwood captures this in his writing. John Van Druten, inspired by Isherwood’s words and the character Sally Bowles, wrote a play called I Am a Camera in 1951. This play was the inspiration for the musical adaptation that we know as Cabaret – book by Joe Masteroff, music by John Kander, and lyrics by Fred Ebb. It was an instant success and earned the Tony Award in 1967 for Best Musical. It’s been playing somewhere from community theaters to Broadway ever since. 

Director Joe Haj’s vision for this poignant and alluring play brilliantly captures all the beautiful, sexy and humorous moments while allowing the undertones of a darkness approaching to slowly rise to the surface. There is a moment towards the end of the performance where Emcee is standing in the rooms above Cliff and Sally, staring down, as they’re coming to terms with what is happening. It’s a looming shadow that I keep thinking about.

Mary Kate Moore as Sally Bowles and Jason Forbach as Clifford Bradshaw in Cabaret at the Guthrie Theater, thru 8/24/25. Photo: Dan Norman

Jo Lampert is a stunning and provocative Emcee, a gender fluid character whose costumes range from more feminine to more masculine with one fun piece during a trio with Bobby and Frenchie that is half tuxedo and half evening dress, black/white. Jason Forbach is an observant and curious Clifford Bradshaw, sometimes quietly watching, other times actively engaged with the residents of his apartment building. All the while he’s recording life as he sees it through his writing and interactions. He truly cares for Sally, but her life is too impossible. Mary Kate Moore plays a gritty and smart Sally Bowles. She brings out the spark and charm in her performances and with the men she allows to take care of her. But, she also has a deep sadness, a bitter longing, that comes out so beautifully in her solo “Maybe This Time.” When she sang “Cabaret” towards the end of the show, she nearly brought the house down with her tremendous range and depth of emotion. She lets the song build within her, showing all the complexities of this world, her life, this music.

A storyline that I felt particularly drawn to in this performance was the relationship between the landlord Fräulein Schneider (wonderfully played by Michelle Barber) and Herr Schultz (Remy Auberjonois). He’s a German, and also a Jew, which at first doesn’t seem to matter. Until the Swastikas come out, and the world spins toward that black hole. Their interactions and songs are so lovely. I especially loved “Married” with Monet Sabel bringing in a third voice, and lovely German lyrics, weaving it all together in a sweet moment.

Elly Stahlke (Helga) and Jo Lampert (Emcee) and cast in Cabaret at the Guthrie Theater, thru 8/24/25. Photo: Dan Norman

Of course, Cabaret is known for its dancing. The dynamite Kit Kat Club dancers: Stephane Anne Bertumen, Vie Boheme, Janely Rodriguez, Andrea Mislan, Monet Sabel, and Elly Stahlke have some wonderful provocative numbers with Emcee. The guys, Brian Bose, Joe Bigelow, Berto Borroto, and Nathan Huberty are very funny, and some of them play other characters in the story, as well. Sasha Andreev plays a sketchy character, Ernst Ludwig, and Jon Andrew Hegge plays club owner Max. 

Costume Designer Jen Caprio really brings out each character, and various settings, and especially goes all out for Emcee. Casey Sams did the fantastic choreography. The set, designed by Marion Williams, is raised platforms and bright lights, a section above the stage that gives us a glimpse into the performers’ dressing rooms, and other things, including a trapdoor and movable center section and rotating section. Lighting design by Josh Epstein really emphasizes some scenes while pulling our eye to an important moment. Sound design by Mikaal Sulaiman. Also, on stage and clearly part of the show, is the orchestra led by Mark Hartman. They were absolutely fantastic!

You can see this poignant and provocative production of Cabaret at the Guthrie Theater through Aug. 24, 2025. You don’t want to miss this one. It’s one of the most fantastic shows I’ve ever seen. The amount of talent, carefully planned and executed movement, and attention to details in this production are outstanding.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt: How do you express yourself through your art or actions? What helps you process your world?