Directed by Adam Brazier, a Dora-winning actor and Dora-nominated director, the musical boasted a great set, suitably Fosse-esque choreography, titillating costumes, and an enthusiastic and talented cast. Brazier is a solid director, and I appreciated the clarity and strength of his vision. The decision to use ensemble members as a meta-audience lounging in the wings or hanging from scaffolding added a dash of self-awareness without distracting from the main action. And in choosing to keep the seedy feel of the Kit Kat Club instead of loading on the glitz, Brazier is able to transition smoothly from that thinly glamourous time to the uneasy tension of early-Third Reich Berlin.
The star of the show was, appropriately, the Emcee —played by the very talented Michael-David Blostein. Blostein's performance was nuanced, well-developed, and enthralling. The Emcee's greatest weapon is his voice, and Blostein is possessed of a spine-tingling one that —to my shock and awe— is apparently untrained. Thankfully, Blostein does not take his natural talent for granted, and his hard work definitely pays off.
This production doesn't bust down any doors or revolutionize musical theatre, but it doesn't need to. Brazier and his team have created a very heartfelt adaptation of a legendary production, and it's a worthy addition to the canon.
Cabaret is playing now until January 28th. See http://www.harthouse.ca/hart-house-theatre/cabaret for more information, and click here to buy tickets online.
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