Wilkommen, bienvenue, welcome! Titusville's 'Cabaret' a tale of gritty, glittering Berlin

Meine Damen und Herren! Get ready to be transported to the dazzling, decadent world of 1930s Berlin as Titusville Playhouse brings the iconic musical "Cabaret" to the stage. The show opens Friday, April 19 for a run through May 12.

Set against the looming shadow of political upheaval in pre-World War II Germany, "Cabaret" follows the intertwined lives of a charismatic English cabaret singer, Sally Bowles, and an American writer, Cliff Bradshaw, as they navigate love, desire and political turmoil in the seedy Kit Kat Club, guided by the enigmatic Master of Ceremonies.

"'Cabaret' takes you to a time when the world seems to be thriving," said the show's director, Niko Stamos. "Filled with music and a life that is beautiful."

"But if you look between the cracks in the mirror there is something deeper happening. The world is on the verge of war and people’s lives were about to be turned completely upside down," he said.

With its iconic score by John Kander and Fred Ebb and book by Joe Masteroff, "Cabaret" has been celebrated since its debut in 1966 for its exploration of the fragile nature of freedom. The show is still relevant today, as the world grapples with its own social and political challenges.

"What strikes me about 'Cabaret' is how it has stayed relevant throughout time," Stamos said. "Though the world we live in has shifted, many of the fundamental issues on the horizon still exist."

Stamos has chosen to incorporate the cast as onlookers throughout the show.

"The big question of the entire show is 'What Would You Do,' a song sung by Fr?ulein Schneider, and I really want the audience [to reflect] on this idea," he said. "By having the cast watching the show, they are forcing the audience to feel this societal pressure of being watched the entire time."

Jana Denning takes on the challenging role of vivacious and vulnerable nightclub singer Sally Bowles. Opposite Denning is Carson Skidmore as Cliff Bradshaw, the earnest writer caught up in the whirlwind of Berlin's decadence.

No production of "Cabaret" would be complete without the mesmerizing presence of the Emcee, played in the Titusville production by Jordyn Linkous. With his dynamic stage presence and comic timing, Linkous serves as both host and provocateur.

"The cast I have gotten to work with this past month have been astounding," Stamos said. "They each bring their own honesty to the role and found the humanity in each role."

The stage has been crafted to transport audiences to the decadent world of 1930s Berlin. Titusville Playhouse's production team has brought the Kit Kat Club to life, drawing audiences into its seductive embrace.

"I wanted the audience to walk into the building and feel like they are in the Kit Kat Klub," Stamos said. "We are selling VIP seats connected to the stage as well as building the stage further into the audience."

"The scenes in the Kit Kat Klub are more open while the rest of the scenes are in tight spaces. From a visual stance it is similar to the lines of a shattered mirror," he said. "There are some more modern elements incorporated into the set and a few tricks up our sleeves in the story telling that will move audiences."

But beyond the glitz and glamor, "Cabaret" carries a poignant message about tolerance that resonates now more than ever. More than just a musical, the show is an exploration of a society on the brink of upheaval. As the rise of the Nazi party looms, the characters grapple with questions complacency and morality.

Theater has the power to transport us to another time and place with a few hours of entertainment, but it can also be an opportunity to spark conversations and provoke thought. Stamos hopes the show encourages audiences to embrace their own capacity for change.

"My goal is that this opens a conversation and the way we look at ourselves in the world," he said. "We all have the potential to change a life and be a positive part of change. It is whether or not we choose to react... that is important."

If you go

'Cabaret'

Where: Titusville Playhouse, 301 Julia Street, Titusville

When: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. through May 12

Tickets: Start at $30

Call: 321-268-1125

Website: titusvilleplayhouse.com

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Christina LaFortune is the Entertainment and TGIF Editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/christinalafortune or send her an email at [email protected].

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Life is a 'Cabaret' at Titusville Playhouse