Welcome to the world of ‘Cabaret’ | Entertainment

BELLOWS FALLS — In a second attempt, the Wild Goose Players will put on the Tony Award-winning musical “Cabaret” for audiences beginning April 3.

Originally, just weeks away from opening night in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world, and stages fell silent. Six years later, Wild Goose Players will once again invite audiences into the seductive and unsettling world of “Cabaret.”

“We are doing the show again, partly because we were never able to bring the last production to fruition. We made something, but were never able to share it. The loss was fairly painful, actually, and some of those who did the last show did not want to do it again,” said David Stern, artistic director for Wild Goose Players. “They (cast members) loved what we had created, and the group with whom we had developed it. We chose to do the play in 2020 partly because it was Trump’s first term, and this musical explores the rise of fascism and how different people respond as the nationalist ethos takes hold. You can see why we would, once again, be interested in the conversation the show engenders.”

Stern added that the show isn’t fully going to be the same as the last time they tried; this is a whole different ensemble, under different leadership, pursuing something new.

“We are not attempting to duplicate what we had created. This process has been very exciting,” said Stern. 

The musical, created by John Kander and Fred Ebb, is set in late 1920s Berlin at the seedy yet dazzling Kit Kat Club. “Cabaret” follows the lives of nightclub performers, dreamers, and outsiders navigating a society on the brink of profound political change.

At the center of the story is the enigmatic Emcee, who welcomes audiences into a world of music, satire and spectacle while the political climate outside the club grows increasingly dangerous.

Blending dark humor, provocative performances, and timeless music, “Cabaret” remains one of musical theater’s most powerful and relevant works. Its exploration of art, culture, and politics serves as both a reflection of the past and a cautionary lens through which audiences can examine the present.

“I have found myself trembling a few times during this rehearsal process, as the material pushes me into current events and vice versa,” said Stern about how the show resonates with the modern audience. “I have never watched the choices the characters make with this level of understanding and compassion. They do not know what to do – and neither do I. Perhaps many of us are in that boat. That makes the material important.”

Wild Goose Players’ production will feature a cast of local performers and a live orchestra. The show runs April 3-12. For tickets, performance dates and additional information, visit www.wildgooseplayers.com/tickets or contact The Bellows Falls Opera House at 802-463-3964.