Cabaret shines at Mayfield secondary
By Eli Smith & Melissa Millward

Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome, to Mayfield Secondary School's spectacular fall production of Cabaret. The musical adapted from the book by Joe Masteroff, with lyrics by Fred Ebb and music by John Kander, was originally produced in 1967. Cabaret gained immediate critical and popular acclaim for its stirring blend of unforgettable music and utterly believable storytelling. Now, 40 years later, the Mayfield Regional Arts Program is reliving all the theatrical grandeur that made Cabaret a staple of modern theatre.

From the moment the curtains open, the unique and stylized set will transport the audience to 1930s Berlin; the looming inevitability of Nazi rule threatens the city. It is a time when men and women seek shelter from the political turmoil in a place where there are no troubles, a place where everything is beautiful, a place called The Kit Kat Klub. Here, a dream-like quality of safety and sensuality prevails.

It is here that Clifford Bradshaw (Spencer Robson), a young American writer, falls in love with Sally Bowles (Rebecca Perry), the Klub's star performer. As their love deepens, so too does the political unrest around them. When Clifford and Sally's loved ones are irrevocably drawn into the mounting conflict, they must ultimately choose between the harsh realities of the real world or the fantastical life of the cabaret.

To this day, Cabaret remains relevant. Whether you are looking for a remarkable story of love in an era of desperation or you simply wish to get lost in the sheer exhilaration of the Cabaret, come out to Mayfield Secondary School (5000 Mayfield Road) Nov. 9, 10 and 11 at 7:30p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door for $12.