REVIEW: CABARET
Ellyn Marie Marsh (Rosie), Nick Garrison (Emcee), Alexandra Ausman (Fritzi)and Nicole Boote (Helga) in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of Cabaret.
Photo: David M. Allen
The time has finally arrived. CABARET is here in Seattle at the 5th Avenue Theatre. The eternally risqué and freakishly gorgeous Nick Garrison makes his return onto Seattle’s main stage in a character he was born to play. Garrison is the highlight of the show, however, I found it difficult to understand some of his lines with that German accent but still the classic story is easy to follow.
Tari Kelly (Sally Bowles) and the Kit Kat Klub girls. Photo: David M. AllenSadly this version of CABARET is without Liza Minelli and that trademark black helmet of hair with those big eyes and long eyelashes but Broadway’s Tari Kelly does a great job in the role of Sally Bowles. She does a breathtaking performance of the song Cabaret toward the end of Act II. This production will have every self-respecting gay man singing the title song to themselves for hours after the show.
The handsome Louis Hobson plays Cliff Bradshaw that some will remember as Tony from 5th Avenue’s West Side Story and as Kim’s G.I. lover Chris, in 5th Avenue’s production of Miss Saigon. Cliff’s friendship with the Ernst Ludwig (played by the amazingly strapping tall actor Tyson Forbes) is destroyed when he discovers Ludwig is working for the Nazi’s.
As a preview of what to expect you might rent the 1972 movie version which is considered “one of the greatest movie musicals of all time” and won eight Oscars, including Best Actress for Liza Minneli.
Nick Garrison stars as the Emcee. Photo: David M. AllenYou might as well get your tickets right now because it is only going to be more difficult later. Or worse yet, like another reader posted on here about MAME, you might forget to do it until after it has already gone. Tickets to CABARET are priced from $20 – $77 and are available over the phone by calling 206-625-1900, online at www.5thavenue.org or in person at the box office in downtown Seattle. There is no service charge when purchasing tickets in person at The 5th Avenue Theatre Box Office.
