Written by Sabrina Rogers
Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome! Roanoke Colleges Theater Company presents their production of “Cabaret”!
Set in 1930s Berlin, the musical brings the audience along the lives of the Kit Kat Klub-a nightlife extravaganza to wash worries away in a more…eccentric way. We focus on the relationship between American writer Clifford Bradshaw and English Cabaret performer Sally Bowles as well as Fräulein Schneider, a house owner who rents rooms to people, and Herr Schultz, a fruit vendor.
In excitement of this play (and being part of the crew itself), I had the honor to interview some of the cast members on their experience with the play.
Elizabeth Clay performing as Texas, a Kit Kat Klub Girl.
Q: What’s the biggest challenge with your character or show itself?
A: How heavy this show is has been a challenge.
Q: What message do you want the audience to get from this show?
A: This isn’t over. The topics discussed through this play are still relevant today.
Q: What has your role taught you?
A: As a person, even background actors are complex stories but as an actor it’s more than just the outer layer that we must think about when trying to portray a character.
Jackie Santomero playing Bobby, a Kit Kat Klub Boy.
Q: What is the best way to get into character?
A: Deep breaths and think about something related to each scene.
Q: How are you bringing something new to Cabaret?
A: Dances have become personal to the actors and we’re able to own the floor.
Q: What message do you want the audience to get from this show?
A: This isn’t over. The topics discussed through this play are still relevant today.
Matt Scott who plays Ernst Ludwig, a friendly German who smuggles funds
Q: What’s the biggest challenge with your character or show itself?
A: It’s an odd shift from a person who is so welcoming to those who snaps. It’s a difficult shift.
Q: How are you bringing something new to Cabaret?
A: I don’t know if it needs or is asking for that. The play itself knows what it is, it doesn’t need something new.
Q: What message do you want the audience to get from this show?
A: Complacency to wrong doings is allying with the aggressor.
Q: What has your role taught you?
A: As an actor, the skills to put something other than me in the character and how to embody it on stage.
Maggie Raker aka Fräulein Schneider
Q: What is the best way to get into character?
A: Talking to Jake (who plays Herr Schultz) and repeat my first couple lines
Q: How are you bringing something new to Cabaret?
A: There are many ways to play this character but portraying Schneider by keeping more to her chest and opening to new ways is how I play her.
Q: What message do you want the audience to get from this show?
A: When rights of one are jeopardized, others are too. The complexity of the characters ties into the heaviness of the play.
Finally, Dr. Nelson Barre who is directing the show.
Q: What is the biggest challenge directing this show?
A: Coordinating the different pieces, the complexity of the play itself, and all three happening at the same time to bring together an impactful story is a big challenge.
Q: This year is notably a big year for the theater department given the population of people interested in being part of the theater at Roanoke College has increased significantly. What is your reaction to this surplus of people?
A: Loves the new energy! It is difficult to get everyone in the room at the same time and this surplus of people encourages movement, more projects, and a sign of growth.
Q: What have you done to set this production of Cabaret as different from other renditions?
A: Improving, and the big songs and numbers. The actors are bringing the characters and the story into their own while keeping the heaviness of the subject matter.
Q: How was the casting process?
A: A lot. Almost 40 people auditioned for 25 roles. It was a very hard decision but a really great experience with great talent.
Tickets are free to all Roanoke College students, faculty, and staff, $10 to the public. The showtimes are November 16th-18th at 7:30pm with an additional 2pm show on Saturday, November 18th. Tickets are available by calling 540-375-2333 or by emailing boxoffice@roanoke.edu.
