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Cabaret

Director / Direção: Chaz Wolcott
Music Director / Direção Musical: Emily Orf
Costume Design / Figurinos: Zandra Siple

Concept
Cabaret, with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and book by Joe Masteroff, was first produced on Broadway in 1966. The story is set in Berlin in the early 1930s, as the Nazi party rises to power. The musical revolves around the seedy Kit Kat Club, and as the story unfolds, the characters are drawn into the increasingly tumultuous political climate of the time.

Cabaret explores themes of sexuality, love, and the tension between personal desire and political turmoil. It also offers a powerful commentary on the rise of fascism and authoritarianism, and on the dangers of remaining passive or apathetic in the face of growing intolerance. In today’s political climate—marked by nationalism, xenophobia, and ongoing struggles for social justice—the musical serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance, activism, and resistance.

The scenography for this production was conceived as an act of resistance, grounded in the historical and political context and committed to representing diversity and subversion in all forms. The set conveys fear and decay while also suggesting resilience through symbolic elements and spatial strategies. The project reflects how art can play a transformative role and serve as a means of resisting oppression and intolerance.

Playhouse Theatre, University Park, PA
October 25–November 5, 2022