“Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome…” to the 60th anniversary season of the Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre! This treasured organization kicks off its 2026 summer season with the critically acclaimed 1998 Broadway revival version of the classic musical Cabaret (book by Joe Masteroff, music by John Kander, and lyrics by Fred Ebb). This reimagined rendition differs significantly from the original 1966 Broadway production, incorporating many musical, structural, and textual changes while also drawing on elements from the 1972 film adaptation. Serving as both director and musical director, Dr. Shane Jensen has assembled a brilliant presentation of this riveting play, performed by a talented cast.
Cabaret is based on stories from Christopher Isherwood’s novel, Goodbye to Berlin. John Van Druten’s 1951 Broadway play, I Am a Camera, was the first stage adaptation of Isherwood’s story, and it deeply influenced the structure of Cabaret. Set in Berlin during the final years of the Weimar Republic and the rise of Nazism, Cabaret unfolds between two worlds: the decadent Kit Kat Club, led by the mysterious Emcee, and the increasingly turbulent climate outside its doors. Cliff Bradshaw, an American novelist and English teacher, arrives in Berlin seeking inspiration and is quickly drawn into the club’s carefree atmosphere. There, he becomes enamored with headliner Sally Bowles, an English nightclub singer whose free-spirited lifestyle complicates their growing relationship. Meanwhile, boarding-house owner Fräulein Schneider falls in love with Herr Schultz, who owns a fruit shop and is Jewish. However, their romance is strained by mounting fear, social pressures, and political realities. As authoritarianism tightens its grip on Germany, the Kit Kat Club and society are forced to confront the devastating consequences of a rapidly changing world. Cliff befriends Ernst Ludwig, a seemingly likable businessman who takes English lessons from Cliff and connects him with additional students. Along the way, Ernst unexpectedly deceives Cliff, exposing him to disturbing volatility and escalating tensions surrounding Berlin.
While Cabaret premiered 60 years ago and is rooted in significant historical events, the play explores themes that continue to resonate in modern society. The Kit Kat Club represents escapism from reality, illustrating how entertainment and distraction are often used as coping mechanisms during unsettling periods of uncertainty and unrest. Rising acts of antisemitism and increasing political polarization in recent years give the plot a sobering relevance. This significance demonstrates how complacency can allow intolerance to become normalized in everyday life. Similarly, the story examines how people can recognize warning signs of danger while remaining passive and failing to act decisively. As is often seen today, the characters adopt carefully constructed veneers, presenting versions of themselves that blur the line between identity and performance. In particular, the Emcee transcends the boundaries between entertainer, observer, and symbolic figure.
Eric Hall uniquely personifies the otherworldly Emcee with a clownish demeanor that accentuates the character’s conniving and enigmatic disposition. He magnetically engages the audience, leading them through the indulgent world of the Kit Kat Club. Hall’s evocative tenor is the perfect vehicle for the Emcee’s iconic songs, from the opening notes of “Wilkommen” to the haunting final solo, “I Don’t Care Much.” As Sally Bowles, Elda Trombley demonstrates impeccable acting through song. She conveys childlike mischief in “Don’t Tell Mama” and relentless longing in “Maybe This Time,” vividly relaying every emotion of the character’s journey. Her powerhouse vocals are showcased in “Mein Herr” and “Cabaret,” and she effectively expresses Sally’s irrepressible nature in each of her scenes. Cameron Walker, as Cliff Bradshaw, compellingly captures both the naive and pragmatic sides of this complex character. He expresses bitter rage during his disagreements with Sally, as well as innocent unworldliness upon arrival in Berlin. A skilled singer, Walker also presents a pleasant baritone in “Perfectly Marvelous.” Ryan Gallucci persuasively depicts Ernst Ludwig’s unwavering charisma and smooth deception, seamlessly balancing outward charm with an underlying sinister edge.
Fräulein Schneider and Herr Schultz are outstandingly portrayed by Valerie Holt and Michael Kenny, respectively. Both performers are excellent vocalists, and their heartfelt rendition of “Married” is a highlight. The duo maintains flawless German accents throughout the entire play, exhibiting impressive linguistic command. They poignantly illustrate the joys and the struggles of their complicated relationship, smoothly transitioning from piercing heartache to jovial affection. Individually, Holt brings wisdom and grit to Fräulein Schneider, and Kenny plays Herr Schultz with infectious enthusiasm for his livelihood and profound pain when confronted with antisemitic disrespect.
Set designer Dudley Whitney fabricated a cleverly divided set that allowed for seamless transition among locations. The Kit Kat Club scenery being in full view for the entire production adds a palpable backdrop of realism to the performance, allowing the audience to visualize the escape that the venue provides alongside the headwinds of the outside world. Lindsay Zetter (choreographer) and Michael Kenny (assistant choreographer) created an array of intricate dance routines, from elegant waltzes to sinuous club dances. Lisa Chadwick’s costume design outfits the Kit Kat Club dancers in stark black outfits, fostering sharp contrast with the period suits and dresses worn by those in the outside world. The gifted nine-piece orchestra (conducted by Jarrett Rettman) skillfully renders the legendary Kander and Ebb score, effortlessly transitioning among jazz, vaudeville, and European nightclub music.
“Come hear the music play” for an unforgettable night under the stars at the historic Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre. Cabaret triumphantly opens the company’s milestone season, and this production is worth the trip to this charming venue. The intimate outdoor environment distinctively enhances the theatrical experience, fostering a layered interplay of performance and setting. This remarkably relevant show is simultaneously grounding and immersive, resulting in a stirring evening of theater framed in a contemporary context.
Running Time: Two hours and 30 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission.
Cabaret plays through July 20, 2026, at Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre, 143 Compromise Street, Annapolis, Maryland. Performances are Thursdays to Sundays at 8:30 p.m. Tickets ($32) can be purchased online or by calling the box office at 410-268-9212.
Note: Contains adult themes and content.
Cabaret
Book by Joe Masteroff
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Stage and music direction by Dr. Shane Jensen
Choreography by Lindsay Zetter and Michael Kenny
Set Design by Dudley Whitney
Costume Design by Lisa Chadwick
