Cabaret
MFA Thesis Production, Columbia University
"A map of the world that does not include Utopia is not worth even glancing at.” – Oscar Wilde.
This production re-imagined the Kit Kat Klub as a Queer Utopia to construct a space of community and resistance in the face of catastrophic forces, with Sally Bowles as an activist leader.
Review: “The thing that surprised me the most about Seinen’s Cabaret was that it was not the one thing that Cabaret productions traditionally are: over-the-top. Sure, there was enough razzle-dazzle and showmanship … but the minimal set design, relatively tame choreography, and lack of special effects left space on the stage – space into which the audience’s anxieties could gradually creep. When we are not overwhelmed by a constant barrage of light, music and sound, we are forced to consider how precious this space really is, and how immanent the disaster that is going to destroy it.” – Riva Weinstein, Bwog: Columbia Student News
Book by Joe Masteroff
Based on the play by John Van Druten
And stories by Christoper Isherwood
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Originally Co-Directed and Choreographed by Rob Marshall
Original Production Directed by Sam Mendes
Directed by Jonathan Seinen
CAST
Herr Schultz: Molly Balk
Emcee: Emily Brown
Lulu: Tabitha Cheyenne
Sally Bowles: Yansa Fatima
Frenchie: Suz Fyodorov
Cliff Bradshaw: Andrew Gilliland
Herman: Sandy Sahar Gooen
Bobby: Jaya Joshi
Hans/Rudy: Karla Liriano
Texas: Bobbie Lowe
Fraulein Kost: Emily Martinez
Ernst Ludwig: Jacob Michael
Rosie/Max: Cam Mitchell
Helga: Wes Peddycord
Fritzie: Teagan Rabuano
Frau Schneider: Reya Sehgal
Victor: Bear Spiegel
CREATIVE TEAM
Movement Director/Intimacy & Violence Designer: Cristina (Cha) Ramos
Music Director: Sean Pallatroni
Producer: Sean Anthony Chia
Dramaturg: Josh Brown
Production Stage Manager: Ada Zhang
1st Assistant Stage Manager: Eden Mullins
Rehearsal Stage Manager and Makeup Designer: Jianqiao Lu
Set Designer: Anna Driftmier
Costume Designer: Isabelle Tabet
Lighting Designer: Nic Vincent
Sound Designer: Max Silverman
Prop Master: Danielle Feder
Movement Director/Intimacy & Violence Assistant: Leana Gardella
Company Manager: Katherine Daugherty-Smillie