Background of Majestic Repertory Theatre and Its Cabaret Production
Cabaret, a musical that premiered for the first time almost 60 years ago, shouldn’t feel this timely. Yet, its themes are as relevant as ever in today’s America. Majestic Repertory Theatre recently brought this iconic musical to life, telling messages of political unrest, complacency, and the dangers of ignoring what’s happening. Unfortunately, these themes that ring true still to this day.
Founded in 2016, Majestic Repertory Theatre has treated Vegas to a plethora of shows throughout the years. This includes Little Shop of Horrors, Sweeney Todd, and Ride the Cyclone. They just finished showcasing Cabaret, a musical set in 1930s Berlin sharing a story told from within the walls of the promiscuous Kit Kat Klub.
The play follows American writer Cliff Bradshaw as he travels to Berlin to search for inspiration. He becomes entangled with a bold, carefree Sally Bowles, an English cabaret singer in the club. As the show first starts as a breath of fresh air with dazzling outfits and light and airy musical numbers, it slowly begins to creep into darkness as the Nazi regime rises to power.
Underneath all the fancy outfits and bright music, Cabaret dives into the complicated lives the characters lead during this time. It tells the story of survival, complicity, and escapism.
“This is a show about accountability,” says director Troy Heard. “We either take a risk and open our hearts and minds, or we can close them off and risk even more. These were tough decisions to make in 1930 that are apparently just as difficult nearly a century later.” (IG)
Making Cabaret Fresh
Originally debuting in 1966, this musical it is still a theater staple. However, that means that the cast of Majestic Repertory Theatre’s rendition had to freshen it up for the present day audience Ray Winters, who plays Clifford Bradshaw in the production shared how this was done.
“I would say our production is fresh because it is where glamour meets uncomfortable realism,” Winters said. “Our director Troy was very intent on the Kit Kat performers being put together and ritzy. He didn’t want the ripped tight, track marked, bruised angle that has been done.”
Despite the fresh perspective of the show, the timeless themes are everpresent as they resonate with the current political climate and warn people of the past repeating itself.
“A definite difference I’ve noticed from our production versus others is that we take our time with the scene work,” Winters continued. “We don’t rush the scene to get to the next spectacular musical number; we really dig into the scenes in between. The story doesn’t get sacrificed for the spectacle.”
Katie Marie Jones, who plays Sally Bowles, says, “Our production tackles the idea of “Complicity” like no other production I’ve seen. Not only that, each and every character is played with so much heart that they are so well loved throughout the show.”
She continued by saying, “This production is like watching the full human experience unfold and you will absolutely be left with a stark sense of reality. The reality of the piece is what we focused on the most while staging the production in rehearsal, and it is the feedback I have heard most from the audience after they see it.”
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Some of the Characters of Cabaret
Playing these characters takes a certain amount of care and sensitivity given this musical’s heavy and very real historical themes.
Cliff Bradshaw
Ray Winters shared his in-depth perspective on playing Cliff Bradshaw.
“Cliff serves as the vessel for the audience to experience the story and world of Cabaret. So, if the world of Cabaret is the salsa, Cliff is meant to be the chip,” Winters said. “I believe that Cliff represents people with privilege, and our obligation to use that privilege. Cliff is a white, cis, straight-passing male who has “very little money” but can write home to his mother for some when it’s starting to actually look rough.”
People need to realize that they have the privilege that marginalized groups may not have. In particular, the privilege to speak up and be a voice for those whose voices are being silenced. And we see that that person is Cliff in the world of Cabaret. We see parallels of this today, with the mass deportations currently sweeping the nation. These people need our help and need our voices to speak out for them.
Sally Bowles
Another parallel to today is the people around the country just trying to survive. They feel they just can’t focus on what’s happening. They have their own lives to worry about. We see this a lot with the character of Sally Bowles. Katie Marie Jones shared that perspective of her character.
“Oftentimes the trap that actresses can fall into when playing her is focusing so hard on the ‘manic pixie, Tasmanian devil’ that Sally can be. Until the end when you see the real, and raw Sally. But I wanted to add some real and raw Sally underneath throughout the entire story,” Jones said. “I think Sally is focused on one thing and that is surviving the night. She’s in survival mode at all times and unfortunately, this comes at the cost of understanding the world around her, understanding that just because something isn’t affecting her life directly doesn’t mean it isn’t important. I think this is more of the reality that we see today.”
We see this all too often in everyday life. That is, people are merely trying to survive, and the political climate is the last thing on their minds.
Parallels to America Today
The similarities between Cabaret and the current political climate of the United States are difficult to ignore. This musical reminds us of how history can repeat itself. In the musical, we see the slow rise of fascism, and how it mirrors the political turmoil and human rights issues happening now.
“It’s hard not to see parallels between Berlin in the 1930s and what is happening in America today,” says Jones. “If you can’t see how mass deportations, banning books, rights, and people from existing, then one would suggest opening up a history book. It’s almost beat by beat, word for word happening again.”
Since the inauguration, mass deportations have swept the nation, while legislation targets immigrant families. For years, laws all across the country banned books and curriculums, implementing strategies that authoritarian regimes have used throughout history.
This has accelerated even more, as on March 9, the Department of Homeland Security detained a Palestinian student activist at Columbia University and a legal resident of the US. He was not charged with a crime but faces deportation for being outspoken against the genocide. This latest move by the Trump administration succinctly shows the parallels between Nazi Germany and the acceleration of fascism in America today. It also highlights how if people don’t speak up about this action now, it signals to the government that this is acceptable, and it opens the door for it to happen to others.
The Importance of Speaking Up
More than a story, Cabaret highlights a warning to viewers: Silence leads to complacency and allows oppression. It’s also a warning to not let history repeat itself. People are being silenced in this country, so they need us to be their voice and uplift their stories.
“Complicity is a big one, Cliff’s character has a line that I think sums it up beautifully. ‘If you’re not against all of this, you’re for it, or you might as well be.’ It’s the idea that, if you’re hiding away in the shadows, not saying anything, just letting it happen, you too are complicit in the actions of these people,” Jones said. “While we can’t change the ending of this story, you CAN change the ending of your own, of America’s, right now. I hope many of the people who walk out of the theatre have moments of self-reflection and moments of, ‘How can I change the ending?’”
Majestic Repertory production of Cabaret ran through March 9th, 2025, selling out many of their performances.
Follow the theatre on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to stay updated on their upcoming performances. You can also purchase tickets for shows on their website!
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