Cabaret and The Dangers of Ignoring Reality
On my recent trip to New York City, I decided it was time to indulge in one of the most celebrated traditions of the city’s culture: a Broadway production. I was immediately intrigued by the title Cabaret at the Kit Kat Klub, and as a patron of the arts whose interest in musical theater extends only as far as the Hamilton craze, I thought it would make for an interesting viewing. I was entirely unprepared for what lay ahead—and for the intense discomfort I felt in its modern-day thematic applications.
Historical Context
Cabaret at the Kit Kat Klub is set in 1930s Weimar Germany, amid the rise of extremist movements. Adolf Hitler’s ascent to power and the consolidation of the Nazi Party led to an increasingly oppressive political environment. The Nazi Party focused on national unity, the rejection of liberalism and democracy, and the persecution of minorities.
A Space for Escapism: The Kit Kat Klub
The decadent, hedonistic environment of the Kit Kat Klub immediately immerses viewers in an entirely distracting world. The provocative performances that precede the play consume the senses, and the dim lighting numbs your ability to fully perceive your surroundings. The Kit Kat Klub serves as a metaphor for disengagement, standing in stark contrast to the outside world, one ruled by the Weimar Republic. The club becomes a space of denial, where the growing threat of Nazi Germany is ignored, and both performers and patrons disengage from brutal reality.
Sally Bowles, the main character, remains disillusioned throughout the performance, embodying the hedonistic values of the club and refusing to acknowledge the dangers of the tense society outside. Cliff Bradshaw tries to remain detached, but through his relationship with Sally, he soon becomes entangled in the same disengaged attitude she upholds. However, it was the Emcee (played by Adam Lambert in this performance) who provided the most eye-opening portrayal of the show. His role, as both a distraction and a reflection of the disconnect between the club and reality, was particularly striking.
The Role of Performance
The Emcee serves as a mirror of the political environment in Cabaret, beginning as a sexually charged, flamboyant figure who embodies the hedonism and escapism of Weimar-era Berlin. However, as the play progresses and the political landscape shifts, so does the Emcee. The carefree energy that once defined him slowly morphs into something darker, mirroring the intense grip of Nazi ideology on Germany.
The Emcee’s direct engagement with the audience makes viewers complicit in the act of escapism. The audience becomes just detached enough from the performance that they forget about the political landscape and instead focus on the club’s entertainment. Songs like "Willkommen" and "Money" create a world of materialism and hedonism, presenting temporary solutions to deeper social crises. The music and lyrics of Cabaret lure the audience into a false sense of security—much like the patrons of the Kit Kat Klub, who indulge in the illusion of safety amidst growing turmoil.
However, there are consequences to becoming consumed by performance, which we see in characters like Sally Bowles. Sally’s refusal to confront reality causes her to lose touch with both herself and the world around her. Similarly, Cliff nearly loses his attachment to society through his involvement with Sally. There are also political consequences, as the backdrop of the play is the rise of Nazism. The club’s detachment from reality mirrors society’s inability to engage with critical issues, ignoring the rise of totalitarianism until the consequences become too severe.
Art as a Mirror: The Kit Kat Klub’s Reflection of Modern Escapism
The Kit Kat Klub offers a refuge from the outside world, much like social media provides an escape from current issues such as climate change, social inequality, and political polarization. Today, people flee into virtual worlds to escape the pressures of daily life. Many withdraw from social issues by immersing themselves in distractions like binge-watching or gaming. Modern-day escapism presents a multitude of problems, contributing to ignorance and disconnection from real-world issues.
Conclusions
Productions of Cabaret remain relevant today, reminding us of the importance of staying aware and engaged in an increasingly distracting world. As Hitler’s power grew so did his ideologies and policies. Nazism was and is no laughing matter, and it didn’t appear as a sudden gust of wind in Germany. It was a deliberately planned regime that started as a whisper of a unified German people and became a scream so loud that it ultimately led to a genocide.
Resisting disengagement and critically engaging with the social realities of our time remain of the utmost importance. Stay engaged, citizens—my friends.
