Images: 
Total Rating: 
***1/2
Opened: 
March 19, 1998
Ended: 
January 2004
Country: 
USA
State: 
New York
City: 
New York
Company/Producers: 
Roundabout Theater Company.
Theater Type: 
Broadway
Theater: 
Studio 54
Theater Address: 
254 West 54th Street (8th Ave)
Phone: 
(212) 239-6200
Running Time: 
2 hrs, 30 min
Genre: 
Musical
Author: 
Book: Joe Masteroff; Lyrics: Fred Ebb; Music: John Kander
Director: 
Sam Mendes, w/ Rob Marshall
Review: 

One of the great directorial achievements of recent times, Sam Mendes's complete reimagining of Kander & Ebb's Cabaret retains its awesome punch, even if individual performances prove less galvanizing than those of the original cast. As Sally, Molly Ringwald's a decent singer and stage presence, her surprising lack of sex appeal a fault until the final scenes, where, so shockingly wan and unsightly she almost looks disfigured, she becomes deeply touching. Wavering accent aside, Carole Shelley's a dignified, assertive Fraulein Schneider; Matthew Greer a convincingly Clark Kentish Clifford. Raul Esparza's emcee is a quieter, swishier creature than Alan Cumming's but enticing nonetheless.

Essential theater, staged with unflagging invention, designed with breathtaking simplicity by Robert Brill.

Parental: 
adult themes, mild violence, mild nudity, alcohol use
Cast: 
Molly Ringwald (Sally Bowles).
Technical: 
Choreography: Rob Marshall; Set/Club: Robert Brill; Costumes: William Ivey Long; Lighting: Peggy Eisenhauer & Mike Baldassare; Sound: Brian Ronan; Orchestr: Michael Gibson; Music Arr: David Krane; Orig Dance Music Arr: David Baker; Music Coord: John Monaco; Dialects: Tim Monich; Make-up/Hair: Randy Mercer; Casting: Jim Carnahan & Pat McCorkle; PR: Boneau/Bryan-Brown.
Awards: 
1998 Drama Desk: Mus Revival, Mus Actor (Cumming), Mus Actress (Richardson), 1998 Outer CC: Mus Revival, Mus Actor (Cumming), Mus Actress (Richardson). 1998 Theater World: Debut (Cumming). 1998 Tony: Mus Revival, Mus Actor (Cumming), Mus Actress (Richardson), Mus Feat Actor (Rifkin).
Miscellaneous: 
Cast recording released on RCA Victor, 1998.
Critic: 
David Lefkowitz
Date Reviewed: 
January 2002