Masque and Triangle, Colgate University’s student-run theater company, held its first showing of “Cabaret” on Thursday, Feb. 12, and held four subsequent performances Friday through Sunday. The musical, set in the 1930s, follows American writer Clifford Bradshaw during his visit to Berlin. Upon arriving in Berlin, he meets other pivotal characters, such as German smuggler Ernst Ludwig, his landlady, Fraulein Schneider and English Kit Kat Club performer Sally Bowles. Initially presenting itself as a comedy, the show gradually descends into darker themes amidst the backdrop of Nazi Germany.
As spectators entered the Brehmer Theater, sophomore cast members Megan Eisenstein and Gabby Range, who played Kit Kat Club performers Frenchie and Lulu in the show, entertained the audience with in-character quips and greetings, setting the tone for the production in store.
The chemistry between the cast members became apparent as soon as the curtains parted for the opening number, “Willkommen.” Sophomore Sophia Luzietti, who played the fourth-wall-breaking Emcee of the Kit Kat Club, charmed the audience with her expressive dance and vocals.
First-year Solomon Kirby, who played Ernst Ludwig, described his experience becoming a part of the impressive cast.
“It was relatively intimidating because I haven’t been in theater since I was about twelve years old,” Kirby said. “I was very nervous, but the directors and cast members were very kind and inviting. Auditions were pretty fun to go to because I [went] with a friend of mine.”
That friend was first-year Maddie Stabile, who adopted the role of Fraulein Kost, Bradshaw’s fellow tenant at Schneider’s boarding house.
“I loved doing theater in high school, so I was looking for a club at Colgate to continue my love for the performing arts, which was when I found Masque and Triangle,” Stabile said. “Because this is my first year at Colgate, I wanted to get involved in any way that I could, so I auditioned for ‘Cabaret.’”
Most of the cast seemed to share Stabile’s sentiment, as the group of actors consisted primarily of underclassmen. For some of these underclassmen, such as first-year leading lady Anna Karmanos, performing in “Cabaret” was especially empowering. With her father and mother watching in the crowd, Karmanos moved parents, students and Hamilton community members with a captivating rendition of the musical’s title number as Sally Bowles.
“I actually saw ‘Cabaret’ last year on Broadway, and I loved it,” Karmanos said. “I used to sing [Sally’s song] as karaoke in my room all the time last summer.”
Karmanos studied diligently for the role, considering different interpretations of Sally by professionals on Broadway and by actress Liza Minnelli from the 1972 movie adaptation of the musical.
Masque and Triangle’s performance would not have been possible without the quiet support of the upperclassmen production team. For senior and theater major Cece Dillon, “Cabaret” was her debut as the director of a full-length production. Dillon admitted that she was initially very nervous, especially as she faced challenges with scheduling rehearsals around the cast’s classes and labs. Those worries ultimately subsided after watching her vision come to life on opening night.
Dillon revealed that Masque and Triangle chose this story for a particular reason.
“I hope that people are impacted by [the show]. I hope they see the parallels between the show and our world right now, especially in America,” Dillon said. “I think there is a message in the show about not doing something and how that’s as good as being a part of the problem. I hope it encourages people to do good and be the good and [not to] wait for the good to come around.”
