“Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club: A Prelude to History”
“Let’s keep it quiet, folks,” urged Jordan Fein, the associate director of “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club,” amidst the bustling construction crew members drilling, hammering, and lugging planks of wood. Amidst this chaos, a half-dozen musicians and dancers waited to rehearse.
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Kit Kat Club
With just two weeks left before the revival of John Kander and Fred Ebb’s “Cabaret” opens to the public, Fein focused on fine-tuning the prologue, a 75-minute dive into club culture preceding the main show. This innovative approach has made the Broadway production one of the season’s hottest (and priciest) tickets. The prologue encourages patrons to arrive early, offering them the chance to enjoy the Kit Kat Club atmosphere with sensual, captivating performances meant to set the mood.
“We needed a transition from the outside world to ‘Cabaret,’ hence the prologue,” explained Rebecca Frecknall, the show’s director. “We wanted the space to feel alive from the moment the audience stepped in.”
Rehearsing amidst the noise, a prologue ensemble member, Will Ervin Jr., showcased his skills bare-chested, wearing only an Elizabethan-era ruffled collar. Choreographer Julia Cheng noted the challenge of rehearsing amidst the cacophony, reflecting the frenetic pace of preparing for the ambitious revival after its successful run on the West End.
The audience enters “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club” through an alleyway, bypassing trash cans overflowing with debris, setting the tone for an unconventional Broadway experience. Designer Tom Scutt aimed to challenge traditional notions of entrances, creating an immersive descent into the cabaret world.
Inside, the prologue unfolds across three distinct spaces: the “Vault Bar,” the “Red Bar,” and the “Green Bar,” each offering its unique ambiance and performances. Original music composed by Angus MacRae adds to the surreal atmosphere, blending eerie modern tones with classical influences.
The production team aimed to capture the essence of Weimar-era clubs without merely replicating them, creating a modern interpretation that resonates with contemporary audiences. Choreographer Cheng infused street dance styles with subversive energy, coordinating meticulously timed routines that weave through the different bars.
For Fein, the prologue is more than just a prelude; it’s a tribute to the history of the August Wilson Theatre and the artists who performed there. Like “Cabaret” itself, the prologue honors the groundbreaking nightclub acts of 1920s Berlin while remembering the artists lost during the Nazi regime’s rise to power.
“It’s tragic,” reflects Fein. “We lost so much progressive artistry, and now, almost a century later, we’re rediscovering and grappling with the same ideas.”
