By Alena Bitonti
Arts & Entertainment Editor
“Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome!”
TCNJ Musical Theatre welcomed friends, family and the campus community to a night at the Kit Kat Klub in Don Evans Black Box Theater. Based on the musical by Tony-winning composer John Kander, TMT performed the 1998 revised version of “Cabaret” for five-sold out audiences on Nov. 5, 6, 7 and 8.
Set in a Berlin nightclub in the early 1930s, the production explores the “dark, heady, and tumultuous life of Berlin’s natives and expatriates as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich,” as described in the show’s playbill.
The Master of Ceremonies, or Emcee, played by senior political science major Ben Cupit, hosts the Kit Kat Klub and serves as a symbolic figure reflecting the political changes happening at the time.
The show follows Cliff, a young American writer who has just arrived in Berlin, portrayed by sophomore English and secondary education major Travis Martin. He quickly becomes infatuated with English singer Sally Bowles, portrayed by Bella Moitoso, a junior elementary and special education and history major.
Sally and Cliff, brought to life by Travis Martin and Bella Moitoso, pose in a promotional shot for “Cabaret.” (Photo courtesy of Katie Gallagher)
At the same time, Fräulein Schneider, the owner of Cliff and Sally’s boarding house played by Megan Hurley, a junior elementary and special education and English major, begins a hesitant romance with Herr Schultz, a kind-hearted Jewish fruit seller portrayed by Eddie Mulvihill, a sophomore English and secondary education major.
Before the show began, audience members shared their excitement about seeing “Cabaret” live.
“I’m half Jewish, and I know the premise of ‘Cabaret,’” said Julia Miller, a junior public health major. “I feel like it’s very important to go out and see live theatre, especially a show like this.”
Directors Brendan Branosky, a senior special education and history major, and Naomi Pirani, a senior history major, spoke to the audience about their commitment to telling the story of “Cabaret” in a thoughtful and historically accurate way. They had consulted with history professors and spent the year educating themselves on the historical and cultural context of 1930s Germany.
“We’re dealing with a very heavy topic because it has to do with the Holocaust,” Branosky told The Signal. “Of course that is emotionally draining for not only the cast, but the crew as well, and I’m so privileged to have a cast and crew that have such a dedicated perspective on the story.”
The production made full use of the intimate Black Box space, creating an immersive environment that kept the audience drawn into the story from start to finish. During “Entr’acte,” select audience members were even invited to dance with the cast.
The “Cabaret” cast under the Kit Kat Klub sign. (Photo courtesy of Naomi Pirani)
Standout musical numbers such as “Willkommen,” “Cabaret,” “Don’t Tell Mama” and “Money” were performed with high energy, with the full ensemble helping to bring the Kit Kat Klub to life.
Beyond its lively musical numbers and visuals, “Cabaret” delivers a powerful social message that resonated deeply with the cast. Sophomore nursing major Shain Stanley, who plays Kit Kat Klub girl Lulu, emphasized the broader impact of the show.
“I just hope people get [the message of] standing up for what you believe in, being there for others, and making sure you’re not a bystander to things you don’t support,” she said. “There’s heartbreak and there’s real issues, but they can live together and be in the same story — and I think that’s really beautiful.”
TMT is the College’s only student-run source for musical theatre entertainment. Stay up to date with their latest performances and behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram @tcnjmusicaltheatre.
