Cabaret Reviews
Stage Scene LA- Highly Recommended
"...Tough muscularity and stringent sardonicism punctuates Matthews' vision. And as seriously as he takes getting to the heart of this musical, Roston expertly knows how to make the most of the songs and the dances. We are having such a good time that we barely notice the dark side until the laughter curdles inside us and we fully realize that the fun, which is contagious, is at our own expense."
ArtsInLA- Recommended
"...Director Michael Matthews gets energetic and layered performances from his cast. Nee, in particular, is outstanding as the Emcee. He is magnetic and has an effortless carnality. He channels a darkness that's both titillating and terrifying. He's reminiscent of John Cameron Mitchell circa Hedwig and the Angry Inch . He owns every scene he is in and is a worthy successor to Joel Grey and Alan Cumming who originated and made this role his own, respectively, and both of whom won Tonys for their efforts."
Musicals In LA- Recommended
"...Musical director Anthony Zediker sets a crisper than normal pace with the band, which works to the show's advantage in close quarters. It also plays against the heaviness of the story by lifting the humor, moving the action along, and allowing the big showstopper ballads to strike with more weight."
Grigware Blogspot- Highly Recommended
"...I love revisiting a classic, especially a musical. Kander & Ebb's optimistic music is enough by itself to put bodies into the seats - and "Maybe This Time", originally written for the film and Minnelli is now a permanent part of the stage score. And, another reason... appreciating the message of "Cabaret", to live for each and every moment, is more timely now than ever. This is perhaps the greatest musical of all time next to West Side Story and Celebration's production ranks right up there with Roundabout's latest national tour."
The Los Angeles Post- Highly Recommended
"...Most successful musicals have what I've come to call a "transcendent moment" - that point where the audience's hearts grow full, eyes grow moist, and throats grow lumps, as the characters onstage experience an epiphany, achieve a goal, or "find their way." Even that paean to rudeness, The Book of Mormon, has such a transcendent moment - but not Cabaret. It's hard-edged and dry-eyed from beginning to end, and thankfully Mr. Matthews and his cohorts have resisted the urge to soften it at all. We're living in a hard-edged time right now, and this Cabaret - alas - fits extraordinarily well."
Stage Raw- Recommended
"...There's much to like, and little to dislike. The pacing drags a bit towards the end of the first act, and the cast is done a disservice by not being able to see music director Anthony Zediker, who is tucked away with the orchestra above the action. This leads to a few moments that are just slightly off, musically. But those are small quibbles against the tremendous overall effect of the show. Celebration's Cabaret hits all the right notes and brings enough novelty to the table to make an old story feel fresh."
Haines His Way- Highly Recommended
"...Musical director Anthony Zediker makes the four-piece band sound like a full pit orchestra and Cricket S. Myers' sound design perfectly mixes the vocals with the music. Michael Mullen's costume design is a show unto itself, from the leather and chains bedecked Emcee to the women's peignoirs and intimate wear to the layered schoolgirl outfits that get stripped off piece by piece during the raunchy "Don't Tell Mama." I saw my first production of Cabaret in 1968 and have seen many more since then. This latest will remain with me for a long time to come. Don't miss it!"
Peoples World- Recommended
"...In this Cabaret a few small changes have been made that help to bring the story home, and also reduce the size of the cast and the band. The production picks up certain ideas from later iterations of the show, which those familiar with the Broadway original or with the film (which omitted all but six musical numbers from the score) may not be familiar with. The ending in particular, in a few fleeting quotes from history, brings Cabaret right to the streets of America."