Cabaret. Inside This Guide
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Milwaukee Repertory Theater Presents September 14 - October 24, 2010 Quadracci Powerhouse Stage This study guide is researched and designed by the Education Department at Milwaukee Repertory Theater and is intended to prepare you for your visit. It contains information that will deepen your understanding of, and appreciation for, the production. We’ve also included questions and activities for you to explore before and after our performance of CABARET. INSIDE THIS GUIDE If you would like to schedule a classroom workshop, or if we can help in any other way, Synopsis 2 please contact About the Authors 4 Jenny Kostreva at 414-290-5370 or [email protected] CABARET Over the 5 Years Rebecca Witt at 414-290-5393 or [email protected] The Characters 6 The Inspiration 7 NOTE: CABARET contains adult History of Cabarets 9 content. Weimar Germany 11 An Interview with Mark Study Guide Editing By 14 Clements, Director Created By Jenny Kostreva, Visiting The Rep 16 Rebecca Witt, Education Director Education Coordinator Cindy Moran, Public Relations Director SYNOPSIS *Spoiler Alert: This giving her a gift. It is here that we see that there is “Leave your troubles outside! synopsis reveals romance between the two. crucial plot points* So-life is disappointing? Forget It is now several months later despite Cliff knowing it! In here, life is beautiful-the ACT ONE that he is living in a dream world, he continues to girls are beautiful-even the ignore the reality of what is happening in Berlin and orchestra is beautiful! CABARET begins in continues to party with Sally. She reveals that she Willkommen im Cabaret!” the Kit Kat Klub, a is pregnant, but does not know who the father is. cabaret in 1929 Sally wants to have an abortion, but Cliff convinces - The Emcee Berlin. In the her not to since there is a chance that he could be opening number the the father. Ernst calls on Cliff and says that he has audience is welcomed by the Emcee and the Kit Kat a job for him—deliver a suitcase to a client. Cliff Klub girls. After this, the action shifts to a train car accepts thinking it is easy money though the where we meet Clifford Bradshaw, an American contents of the suitcase are suspect. writer looking for inspiration for a new novel. Cliff meets Ernst Ludwig, a native of Germany, who not After this, we see Fraulein Schneider confronting only recommends a place to stay in Berlin, but also another one of her boarders, Fraulein Kost, about opportunities to work and make money. After arriv- bringing sailors into her room. She wants Fraulein ing in Berlin, Cliff makes his way to Fraulein Schnei- Kost out of the house; however, Fraulein Kost der’s boarding house. Fraulein Schneider ends up retorts that Herr Schultz has been in Fraulein charging Cliff 50 marks for his room, half of what Schneider’s room. Herr Schultz saves her she originally wants. However, we find out that reputation by saying that they are to be married in Fraulein Schneider has learned to live with what life three weeks. Fraulein Kost leaves and Fraulein has to offer, even if it isn’t what she truly wants. Schneider thanks Herr Schultz for lying about their engagement. However, after saying that he was After settling, Cliff decides to explore and visit the serious, he proposes. Kit Kat Klub, another place Ernst suggested he visit. We see the Emcee introduce Sally Bowles, a We then go to Fraulein Schneider and Herr British singer. When done with her number, Sally Schultz’s engagement party. Cliff brings the ques- calls Cliff on a table phone and is astounded to hear tionable suitcase to Ernst. Fraulein Kost is also in someone who speaks English on the other end. She attendance and wants to get back at Fraulein asks him to recite poetry for her and he indulges Schneider and tells Ernst that Herr Schultz is a her by reciting a poem about baseball. Cliff asks Jew. Ernst warns Fraulein Schneider that marrying Sally to come home with him; however, she a Jew might not be in her best interest. Act I ends declines as she believes that her boyfriend, the with ―Tomorrow Belongs to Me‖ sung by all except owner of the club, would be too jealous. Cliff, Sally, Fraulein Schneider and Herr Schultz. It is the next day and we are back at Cliff’s ACT TWO apartment and Sally arrives as he is working on his novel. She tells him that her boyfriend has thrown We find Fraulein Schneider and Herr Schultz her out and she has no place to stay. Sally asks Cliff discussing their marriage. Fraulein Schneider is if she can move in. Although hesitant at first, Sally concerned about what could happen, but Herr convinces him. We then move into Fraulein Schultz feels that things will be fine in the end. Schneider’s apartment where Herr Schultz, an During their conversation a brick is thrown through elderly Jewish fruit store owner, is visiting her and the shop window and they question whether it was CABARET Study Guide Page 2 malicious or just kids. Fraulein Schneider leaves mits to Cliff that she has had an abortion. Cliff slaps and goes to Cliff and Sally’s room where she her and says that he is leaving for Paris in the returns their engagement morning, but hopes that Sally will present. The Emcee then go with him. She retorts that performs a number with a girl in a “Sally--wake up! The party she’s always hated Paris and Cliff gorilla suit and sings about their in Berlin is over! It was lots leaves without her. love, the disapproval they have of fun, but it’s over. And We are back in a train car with faced and encourages the audi- what is Berlin doing now? Cliff on his way to Paris. He is ence to be more open-minded. Vomiting in the street.” writing a novel that reflects on his During this time, Cliff and Sally - Cliff experiences in Berlin. He begins have been arguing about their to sing and the Emcee joins him future. Cliff wishes to bring Sally and then overtakes him. We shift to America to raise their baby; however, Sally back to the Kit Kat Klub where the cabaret ensem- believes that their life is wonderful in Berlin. Cliff ble sings the song in a much darker tone, dressed points out that Berlin is becoming more unstable in Nazi regalia. The Emcee continues to sing as the and Sally continues to protest. She leaves to lights fade and we hear him say ―Good night.‖ perform at the Club and when she comes back, ad- ACT ONE MUSICAL NUMBERS Willkommen Don’t Go So What? Why Should I Wake Up? Don’t Tell Mama The Money Song & Telephone Song Sitting Pretty Perfectly Marvelous Married Two Ladies Tomorrow Belongs to Me It Couldn’t Please Me More (Reprise) Tomorrow Belongs to Me ACT TWO MUSICAL NUMBERS Married (Reprise) If You Could See Her What Would You Do? Resident Acting Company Member Lee I Don’t Care Much E. Ernst, who plays the Emcee, Cabaret rehearses a song from CABARET. Finale Photo courtesy of Michael Brosilow. PRE-SHOW ACTIVITY: CABARET takes place in multiple locations including the Kit Kat Klub and Cliff’s apartment. If you were to design the set, what would it look like to you? How would you differentiate between the two places? What would you want on stage to convince the audience that they are in a 1930s night club and apartment? How would you present the scenes in the train car? Draw your ideas and share them with your classmates. POST-SHOW ACTIVITY: After the show, compare what you drew to what you saw. What differences and similarities did you see? Did what you see work for the production? What changes might you make? Explain your ideas with your classmates. Page 3 CABARET Study Guide ABOUT THE AUTHORS Tony Award-winner, Joe Masteroff wrote formal musical training. He composed his first the book for CABARET. He was born December scores for SECOND SQUARE and OPUS TWO 11, 1919 in Pennsylvania and graduated from in 1950 and REQUIEM FOR GEORGIE in 1951, Temple University in 1940. After graduating, still as a student. In 1951, Kander graduated Masteroff served in the Air Force for four from Oberlin and then attended Columbia years. When he returned, he University where he earned a Master of Arts studied with the American degree in 1954. He worked Theatre Wing, an as a choral director and educational theatrical conductor for several years organization, from 1949 to and eventually landed a job 1951. This launched his as a sub pianist for two career in theater as an actor pre-Broadway shows. This and in 1953 made his gig landed him his first job Broadway debut in THE as a music writer for GYPSY PRESCOTT PROPASALS. in 1959 and in 1962 made his Broadway debut with the After acting for some time, score for A FAMILY AFFAIR. Masteroff began his career as a playwright. In 1959, his Fred Ebb was the lyricist first play, THE WARM for CABARET and was born PENINSULA, opened on April 8, 1928 in New York. Broadway at the Helen During his adult life, Ebb did Hayes Theater. Four years anything but music—he later, Masteroff was nomi- bronzed baby shoes, was a nated for a Tony Award for trucker’s assistant and Best Author of a Musical for The original poster from the worked at a hosiery the book of SHE LOVES ME.