The musical is fun, well choreographed, costumed, and staged. The theatre (MET's mainstage) has a warm welcoming feel and comfortable stadium seating. A live six piece orchestra provides bright backing and the wireless lav mics keep voices upfront and strong in the mix. This is not a kid's show as the Kit Kat Club celebrates dance, fun, and flesh. The emcee is played extremely aptly by Renee Cohen with gender-bending flare, great eye expression, and exuberant costume changes. I loved her red, long tail tux.

Caitlin Ary one-ups Cohen's excellent performance. Ary's body language (from sultry, to snotty, to playful) speaks volumes. She's strong in both acting and singing. The audience loved her. Emilia Sotelo also entertains in a smaller role. Lastly, Veronica Scheyving gives a solid portrayal of Fraulein Schneider. Sadly, the men in the play don't match the chops of the play's female performers.

The surface drama is obvious and interesting, though the production (1& ¾ hours before the break, ¾ hr after) lulls twenty minutes or so prior to intermission.

In general, the music is marvelous. There are some great numbers here. “Mein Herr” sports sweet dynamics in volume and tempo and punches the chorus. Likewise, most of the tunes are flashy and fun. That said, “Tomorrow belongs to Me” proves a perfect balancing contrast in its four-part somber (even reverent) harmony. “Meeskite” unfortunately, and appropriately to the words, is the plays ugly duckling song.

It's a glitzy tapestry of deathly serious plot points, devil-may-care dance, and tipsy silly song that indulges in a Shakespearian sense of drama. Ironically tragic.

Director's Note: “Cabaret has always had fun moments and entertained many since its original staging in the 1960's. The revised version became the standard to younger generations but DOMA presents the original version with a twist. Society, whether influenced by chaos or trying to remain neutral, creates order - but one never knows what kind of order.”

-- Books by Ross Anthony, Author/Illustrator --