Truly these are amazing times. Here, on the brink of a dynamic political (and ultimately cultural) shift, the likes of which has not been experienced in decades, there is hope and fear, anxiety and anticipation, the passionate, often jubilant pursuit of “the new” and the white-knuckled clinging to “the old.” Although distractions are plentiful, readily available and hypnotic in their appeal, try as one may -and many do try- to remain uninvolved, no one can claim to be unaffected. In these troubled times the barometer has changed; money does not provide a buffer for the affluent nor are the most impoverished protected from descending into situations of increased stress. The impact of the shift can only be sorted out in time. So, are we talking 1929 Berlin? or the 1960’s? or today?
At the time of the first staging of Cabaret in the early sixties, the United States was undergoing a dynamic political and cultural shift that forced a nationwide self-examination. In the midst of the “sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll,” the forces of Jim Crow and segregation were being shattered-
Wait a second! Linking the Civil Rights Movement and the Nazi Movement? Where the *#%^ is he going with this?! And what does it have to do with what’s going on now?!
You’re right, its not a good match, huh? Sorry, I got sidetracked. Well, let’s not look at the movements themselves. The fact is, what I’m saying has little to do with either movement and everything to do with how we respond, and how even a non-response becomes a significant factor in the outcome of any movement, political or cultural change. With the beautiful dancing girls (and boys), rollicking music and laughter, the Emcee welcomes the patrons of the Kit Kat Klub and beckons them to leave their troubles “outside.” We do love our distractions –somebody YouTube distractions for me- but do they really allow us to keep our troubles outside?
In the original production of Cabaret, the play opened with a huge mirror positioned to allow (force) the audience to see itself. Self-examination. Challenging, daring the audience to watch and acknowledge that they are witness to what is transpiring on the stage or all around them. Sitting. Watching. Allowing. Participating…?
“Please, turn off your Blackberrys at this time.”
Truly these are amazing times…
Don Mays
(director)
(director)
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