Cabaret Musical Lyrics

The Cabaret musical is one of the most iconic and constantly relevant musicals in the history of the theater. Written initially in 1951, it has been significantly revised a few times, with each revision deepening the darkness of this cautionary tale. Sandy Wilson was the first writer associated with the project but found difficulty in entirely capturing the volatile atmosphere of 1920s-1930s Berlin. It was with the hiring of John Kander and Fred Ebb that, by working together, they made a show that was exponentially more provocative and moving.

The storyline in Cabaret is the story of the growth of Nazi Germany, and over time, its production has intentionally been made darker and darker to indicate the increased threat of that period. Specifically, the 1998 and 2004 versions created new scenes that showed decadence in morality and society. For instance, one of the more controversial new threads the film introduces features a pregnant woman who uses cocaine and ends up aborting her baby—a grim reminder of the desperation and hopelessness that characterized so many lives during that period.

The story of the musical is divided into two interrelated lines: the crumbling of the Kit Kat Klub, a cabaret also functioning as a house of ill-repute, and the frightening rise of the Nazi Party. This eventually shows the audience the end results of political apathy in Europe. By the end of the show, the image of a gas chamber is a chilling premonition of what occurs when society does not put a stop to evil.

Cabaret first opened on Broadway in 1966. The play was successful as it performed for 21 previews and 1,165 performances. After its first performance, the show went on its first national tour in 1968 thereby reach America. In 1986, the musical came to the London's West End with a presentation of 336 performances.

The musical came back to the London stage in 1993, which was a key revival of the show after the direction of Sam Mendes. The way Mendes treated the show brought a kind of raw and gritty realism into the production that floored many an audience. His take set the stage for the revival that took New York by storm in 1998, which further expounded on the darker themes that pervade the musical. The trend continues with the 2004 Broadway revival, establishing Cabaret as one of those works that stay timeless and constantly keep getting reinvented.

Following along those same lines, in recent years, Cabaret has gone on to find audiences throughout the world. The 2014 Broadway revival, starring Alan Cumming and Michelle Williams, was a critical and commercial success that reawakened the musical as still timely. The powerful effect of these dark messages has been underlined by the brutal minimalist staging of the show.

As we move deeper into the 21st century, Cabaret more and more becomes this brutal reminder of the dangers of complacency in the face of rising authoritarianism. The musical remains relatable to modern audiences, even as it stands taking place in the past. This will ensure that it is still revived and reinterpreted for many years into the future.


Release date: 1966
Last Update:August, 10th 2024