IN THEATER, AS IN BASEBALL OR ANY other group endeavor, a team is only as good as its weakest link. And if your team is full of weak links, you’re in trouble.
Unfortunately, this is the case with the eerily beautiful musical, “Cabaret,” now running at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre in Santa Monica.
The city is known to have a plethora of talented actors and singers living close by its many fine theaters. Apparently they were all engaged elsewhere, however, when this production was being cast. One has only to wince through Hannah Campbell’s completely off-key rendition of the title song and her raucous and shrill “Mein Herr” to recognize that this is not the production’s finest hour (or finest two-and-a-half hours, to be precise).
To give credit where it’s due, however, (and bleak as that prospect is), Ron Gloff, who has a reasonably good voice, does a nice job as Clifford Bradshaw, the identity chosen by author Christopher Isherwood for his autobiographical alter ego. (Bradshaw was actually one of Isherwood’s middle names.) Gloff is understated and credible, and he doesn’t end all his songs with a harsh and grating bellow, as most of the other singers do.
Also good, in a soft, understated way, is Joanna Churgin, as the landlady, Fraulein Schneider, who sings her numbers in a sweet, earnest voice. Especially her solo, “So What?” whose clever lyrics are an anthem to staying calm in the face of trivial woes.
Kashena Sampson as Fraulein Kost, the sailor-loving lady who does “business” in Fraulein Schneider’s house, has a fine strong voice which she puts to good use outsinging the rest of the company. There ought to be more of her.
Anne Gesling, who is the producer and musical director, also served as costume designer, and in that capacity has designed some appropriately tacky costumes for the Kit Kat Club girls, some slinky and silky 1930s costumes for Sally (including a gorgeous black dress with a handkerchief hemline that would be exquisitely fashionable today), and wide-lapelled suits for the men. Further, the Nazi armbands worn by Herr Ludwig and the Nazi Youth singers (who did a powerful job on the chilling “Tomorrow Belongs to Me”) would have been more effective and affecting if they had been real. Drawing the swastikas on the armbands with a black marking pen just didn’t do it for me.
“Cabaret” will continue Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Aug. 3 at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre, 2627 Pico Blvd., in Santa Monica. For tickets, call the box office at (310) 828-7519.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 26, 2008. Read the original PDF.