The Frenzie - Life Theatre Stages ‘Cabaret' for Final Weekend Run

For Michael Mercer, it’s all about the cabaret.

“The cabaret is that place we go to when we don’t want to see what’s going on around us, when we don’t want to face reality,” Mercer said.

What that means in the context of the end of the Weimar Republic and the ascent of Hitler’s Third Reich is reflected in the musical “Cabaret,” the latest production of The Frenzie – Life Theatre, founded by Mercer and his wife, Beverly, in 2007.

Final show dates are Nov. 18 and 19 at 8 p.m., with an additional midnight showing after the Nov. 18 performance.

The musical, with book by Joe Masteroff, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, is presented through special arrangement with Tams-Witmark Musical Library.

“It’s really about Germany in the late 20’s and early 30’s, before the Nazi party takes over, but it really does speak for today and the way we watch others being treated and sit back and not say anything,” Mercer said about "Cabaret."

Set in the seamy, sleazy Kit Kat Club in Berlin, on the eve of Hitler’s rise to power, the musical depicts “the interlocking stories of a cabaret singer, a writer from America and the denizens of Berlin, all caught up in the swirling maelstrom of a changing society,” notes the Public Broadcasting Service in its review of memorable musicals.

In his role as the cabaret’s Master of Ceremonies, Oliver Sprague said there comes a moment in the show when the enormity of the situation takes over “and I get chills.”

“I go to a different place completely,” Sprague said. “We’re talking about one of the biggest, most monumental historical events, which leads to genocide on a massive scale.”

The show’s biggest message, he added, is, “Don’t let this happen again.”

As a veteran community theater actor and director, Sprague has only high praise for his director.

“He understands the intricacies between characters and how to make a play reality, how to bring things to life,” Sprague said. “I’ve learned a lot from him in this show.”

Justin Batten, who plays the role of Clifford Bradshaw, said he’s always wanted to perform in “Cabaret.”

“It has some very strong underlying messages,” he said. “Acceptance, tolerance, or intolerance, for that matter. The show is so well-written you can take it at face value.”

Batten, with Amber McCollum, also served as co-choreographer.

“It was most challenging,” Batten said. “Many dances had to tell a story in itself.”

“Cabaret” is on stage at the Barn Theatre at Winthrop, at 11349 Bloomingdale Ave. in Riverview, just east of Providence Road.

Tickets cost $15 for general admission and $12 for seniors, military and students with identification. The show is not recommended for children under age 13 and no children under age 5 are permitted.

THE CAST

• MASTER OF CEREMONIES ("EMCEE") - Oliver Sprague
• SALLY BOWLES - Jennifer Morgan
• HERR SCHULTZ - Pedro Amaral
• CLIFFORD BRADSHAW - Justin Batten
• ERNST LUDWIG - Steve Austin
• FRAULEIN KOST/FRITZIE - Amber McCollum
• FRAULEIN SCHNEIDER - Sheilia Stacy
• FRENCHIE - Teala Longoria
• CUSTOMS OFFICIAL/MAX - Corey Wade
• LULU - Kim Davis
• BOBBY - Michael Green
• HELGA - Anja Akstin
• ROSIE - Jenise Velez
• TEXAS - A. Monique Ransome
• HANS/SAILOR - Tyler Dowdy
• HERMANN/SAILOR - Tyler Harrison Wood
• VICTOR - Mitchell Spencer