"Cabaret - The Musical" could be better by the Phoenix Theater Company



DEEP RIVER - Just like the mythic firebird they take their name from, the Phoenix Theater Company keeps emerging from the ashes to reinvent themselves.
The Town Hall Theater in Deep River is the third location in as many shows for the group and hopefully it will be their home for some time to come.
As the name implies, the theater is located in Deep River’s Town Hall. It is a charming, old but well-maintained auditorium on the second floor with stair and elevator access.
The Phoenix Theater’s production at this venue is "Cabaret - the musical" perhaps best known as the 1972 film starring Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey, based on the 1966 Broadway production.
The story is set in 1929-30 Berlin, Germany at the sleazy Kit Kat Klub just before the Germany Nazi’s come to power.
An American writer, Cliff Bradshaw, played by Victor Gonzalez, comes to Berlin after stints in France and England, and falls in love with a free-spirited but self-destructive English nightclub performer Sally Bowles, played with youthful vivacity by Emily Mazotas.
Although set in another time and in another country, the warning Cliff gives to Sally about the impending political uprising: "If you’re not against this, you are for this," is just as politically relevant and true today.
The musical involves a host of colorful characters including a terrific Michael May with a great German accent as Heir Schultz, a Nazi activist.
Steven Kelley as Ernst Ludwig, gave a fine, sympathetic performance, with an excellent singing voice, as the oppressed German Jew.
Also outstanding was Joyce Sakowicz as Fraulein Kost who nearly stole the show in the second act with her song "Mein Herr," along with the Klub Girls whose choreography by Todd Santa Maria was the best in the show.
Sakowicz was last seen as the stellar Evita in the Phoenix Theater Company’s 2007 production of "Evita."
Kyle Metzler, who looks a lot like the rock musician Marilyn Manson, gave a fine performance as the creepy Emcee — the sardonic, hedonistic master of ceremonies.
The first half of the production was inconsistent but by Act II the show came together and felt more solid and self-assured.
Perhaps part of the difficulty came from the distance between the performers on stage and the band located in the back of the balcony, making it inherently challenging for them to all be on the same beat and note.
Many of the costumes designed by Starr McLean had a punk rock theme, particularly for the Kit Kat Klub characters, which was a good choice for the show and worked well with the decadent essence of the musical.

Two Stars

Theater: Phoenix Theater Company

Location: Town Hall Theater, 174 South Main Street, Deep River

Production: Book by John Masteroff. Music by John Kander. Lyrics by Fred Ebb. Directed by Chris Ryan. Produced by Joyce Sakowicz. Musical direction by Jason Ferrandino. Choreographed by Todd Santa Maria. Staged manager Patrique Hurd. Costumes by Starr McLean. Lighting designed by Roy Ryzak. Sound designed by Jareth King.

Running time: Two and a half hours and one intermission.

Show Times: Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. through April 5, with a 3 p.m. matinee Sunday March 30.

Tickets: $20. For further information call their box office at 860-291-2988, or visit their website at www.phoenixtheater.us.

ACTOR...CHARACTER
Kyle Metzler...Emcee
Victor Gonzalez...Cliff Bradshaw
Emily Mazotas...Sally Bowles
Lynne Mazotas...Fraulein Schnieder
Michael May...Heir Schultz
Steven Kelley ...Ernst Ludwig
Joyce Sakowicz ...Fraulein Kost, Kit Kat (Fritzie)
Melissa McLeod ...Kit Kat (Rosie)
Stacey Constantine ...Kit Kat (Lulu)
Samantha Frank ...Kit Kat (Helga)
Chelsey Neville ...Kit Kat (Texas)
Ashley Cugno ...Kit Kat (Frenchie)
Mike Kubica ...Kit Kat (Bobby)
Todd Santa Maria...Kit Kat (Victor)
Chris Rudolph...Max
Chris Ryan ...Train Conductor