WHEN THE GRIM PAST WAS A PARTY
Willkommen to the intimate 99-seat NTC Playhouse in Novato, transformed into the seedy Kit Kat Klub in pre-war Berlin. While poverty, unemployment, and a sense of doom fill the streets, free-wheeling sex, drugs, and jazz entertain inside the club. Unpleasant political developments are willingly pushed aside by these distractions. Denial and indifference allow Nazi power to sneak in the back door. The club’s unctuous and randy Emcee (Stephen Kanaski) urges “Leave your troubles outside. In here, life is beautiful.”
Leo Beare (Victor), Amanika Rapplin (Rosie), Bethany Hill Mostofizadeh (Texas),
Stephen Kanaski (Emcee), Evvy Carlstrom-March (Sally Bowles), Isabella Qureshi (Lulu),
Megan Schoenbohm (Fritzie Kost), Ernesto Nery Jr. (Bobby)
Marin Musical Theatre Company has partnered with the Novato Theatre Company to assemble a triple-threat cast who seduces in this splendid production. Kander and Ebb’s enduring musical is derived from writer Christopher Isherwood’s experiences, harsh and raw, in 1929. It holds up a mirror for reflection about today.
Megan Schoenbohm (Fritzie Kost), Isabella Qureshi (Lulu), Evvy Carlstrom-March (Sally Bowles),
Amanika Rapplin (Rosie), Bethany Hill Mostofizadeh (Texas)
A live four-piece band led by Daniel Savio wails out with slinky and seductive jazz as the show begins. Four scantily-clad dancers join the Emcee with precise dance moves and staging that makes full use of the small stage. Co-directors and co-choreographers Jenny Boynton and Katie Wickes chose to put the focus on four excellent dancers as Kit Kat Girls rather than present a larger cadre—a wonderful decision indeed. Two nearly bare-chested men join the revue, with Leo Beare lending especially impressive ballet moves.
Megan Schoenbohm (Fritzie Kost), Amanika Rapplin (Rosie), Ernesto Nery Jr. (Bobby),
Bethany Hill Mostofizadeh (Texas), Leo Beare (Victor)
The core story begins when American writer Cliff Bradshaw (Russell Mangan) meets a charming German businessman Ernst Ludwig (Michael Lister) on a train ride into the city. Lister is exemplary as the outgoing Ludwig, who leads his new friend to an almost-affordable rooming house, and to the Kit Kat Klub, where most of the action takes place.
Michael Lister (Ernst), Russell Mangan (Cliff), Evvy Carlstrom-March (Sally Bowles)
When the club’s British headliner Sally Bowles (Evvy Carlstrom-March) takes the stage, her engaging accent and plaintive voice fill the room with powerful abundance. Sally hits on Bradshaw, a novelist who has come to Berlin seeking story inspiration. Their attraction is charming if superficial and merely hints of looming philosophical differences to come. In Act I they party on with denial; Act II brings a cold reality check.
Jere Torkelsen (Herr Schultz) & Daniela Innocenti Beem (Fräulein Schneider)
Underlying all the free-flowing gin is the practical landlady Fräulein Schneider, played with gusto by Daniela Innocenti-Beem. Her powerful yet evocative voice fills the theatre. Schneider is charmed by fruit vendor Herr Schultz (Jere Torkelsen). They perform a duet (“Married”) with tremendous charisma. What voices! Innocenti-Beem is perhaps the best Broadway belter in the North Bay theater scene; Torkelsen is an operatic baritone of long experience.
Isabella Qureshi (Lulu), Bethany Hill Mostofizadeh (Texas), Evvy Carlstrom-March (Sally),
Amanika Rapplin (Rosie), Megan Schoenbohm (Fritzie Kost)
With her German sounding 100% authentic, Megan Schoenbohm is outstanding as both a Kit Kat Girl and as Fräulein Kost, resident of the Schneider rooming house, where she entertains sailors by the hour. Assistant music director Schoenbohm is a tremendous singer, dancer, and instrumentalist, performing on accordion in a couple of scenes. Her terrific bandmates are Mr. Savio (keys), Dean Cook (drums), Jon Bretan (bass), and Malik Charles D. Wade I (reeds).
Russell Mangan (Cliff Bradshaw) & Evvy Carlstrom-March (Sally Bowles)
MMTC can be proud of this splendid show, with engaging acting, huge voices, poignant scenes and polished musical numbers. Sound Logic’s dramatic effects, matched with explosive lighting by John Diaz, are startling. The costumes by Andria Nyland and Krista Lee are both sexy and seductive.
Daniela Innocenti Beem (Fräulein Schneider) & Megan Schoenbohm (Fräulein Kost)
The finale of Cabaret is stark and chilling—a warning about what may lie ahead if we aren’t vigilant. This reviewer was glad to have brought tissues and not young children to this performance.
photos by Katie Wickes
Cabaret
Marin Musical Theatre Company
Novato Theatre Company, 5420 Nave Drive, Novato
Fri and Sat at 7:30; Sun at 2
ends on April 13, 2025
for tickets ($35-$50), call 415.883.4498 or visit Marin Musicals
Cari Lynn Pace is a voting member of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle.
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Never would I have expected such a fabulous performance by the entire cast in a local theater. The staging is excellent and the live musicians were perfect. I may even go to another performance it was so wonderful!