Musical

Cabaret

Cabaret is a groundbreaking 1966 Broadway musical by John Kander and Fred Ebb that redefined American musical theatre through its dark, immersive exploration of Weimar-era Germany. Set in 1931 Berlin against the insidious backdrop of the Nazi party's rise to power, the narrative centers on the hedonistic nightlife of the decadent Kit Kat Klub and its enigmatic Emcee. American writer Clifford Bradshaw arrives looking for inspiration and becomes involved with British cabaret performer Sally Bowles, while their landlady Fräulein Schneider navigates a poignant, doomed romance with Jewish fruit vendor Herr Schultz.

Book: Joe Masteroff Music: John Kander Lyrics: Fred Ebb World premiere 1966Based on John Van Druten's 1951 play I Am a Camera and Christopher Isherwood's 1939 short novel Goodbye to Berlin

Reviews (13)

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4.6

Based on ratings from 7 members · 13 reviews

83% Recommends

17% Maybe

0% Doesn't recommend

Every review here is from a Theatreview member who saw the show. How our ratings work

em
@orpheus
West End

Jan 10, 2026 · Stalls, Row D · Matinee

Recommends

Been on my list for years, but knew I was gonna have to squeeze this in when Eva transferred. One of the most impressive shows I’ve seen. Not small budget by any stretch of the imagination but shows what’s possible with very little - lights, platforms and incredible performances. The slow descent from something frivolous and fun to deeply disturbing was supremely well done. Felt unsettled for a long time on exiting the theatre. And I knew Eva had this in her. But Reeve? What a pleasant surprise!!!

Cast this performance
Emcee
Reeve Carney
Sally Bowles
Eva Noblezada
Fraulein Schneider
Ruthie Henshall
Cliff Bradshaw
Baker Mukasa
Herr Schultz
Robert Hands
lily
@hadestown
West End

May 18, 2026 · Evening

Recommends

went into this knowing basically nothing but the time period it was set in and the themes and wow. first off, possibly the most fun ive ever had at a production (maybe second to beetlejuice after seeing that today but thats in a different review lol) and the more emotional Oh My God moments hit so hard. amazing. wish i was more of a drinker so the bars would hit harder x but cool all the same

Jacob
@jacob
Broadway

Sep 10, 2024 · Evening

Recommends

Such a fun pre-show and loved having to enter the theatre through a back entrance. Really interesting staging but I also thought some of the themes from the songs didn’t come through that well because of the direction

Cast this performance
Emcee
Eddie Redmayne
Sally Bowles
Gayle Rankin
Fraulein Schneider
Bebe Neuwirth
Clifford Bradshaw
Ato Blankson-Wood
Herr Schultz
Steven Skybell
Ernst Ludwig
Henry Gottfried
Fritzie/Kost
Corrine Munsch
Frenchie
Gabi Campo
Helga
Ayla Ciccone-Burton
Hans/Sailor #1/Gorilla
Pedro Garza
Victor/Sailor #3
Marty Lauter
Herman/Train Officer/Max
Loren Lester
Lulu
David Merino
Bobby/Sailor #2
Julian Ramos
Texas
Mimi Scardulla
Rosie
Kayla Jenerson
Jacob
@jacob
Regional

Jan 16, 2014 · Evening

Won the tickets for this. My dad still talks about the emcee dropping down from the mezzanine on a rope at the beginning

Cast this performance
Emcee
Tyler Michaels
Rosie
Aeysha Kinnunen
Lulu
Emily Madigan
Frenchie
McKayla Marso
Texas
Krysti Wiita
Fritzie
Danielle Nelson
Helga
Jeffrey C. Nelson
Bobby
Ed Williams, Jr.
Victor
Jemar Michael
Max
James Rodríguez
Sally Bowles
Kira Lace Hawkins
Clifford Bradshaw
Sean Dooley
Ernst Ludwig
Adam Qualls
Customs Officer
James Rodríguez
Fräulein Schneider
Sally Wingert
Fräulein Kost
Aeysha Kinnunen
Herr Schultz
James Michael Detmar
Sailors
Jemar Michael
Sailors
Jeffrey C. Nelson
Sailors
Ed Williams, Jr.
Chanteuse
McKayla Marso
claire
@claire
Broadway

Aug 5, 2024 · Evening

Recommends

Was sad to miss Eddie as the Emcee, but Marty Lauter was incredible. As was Gayle Rankin and the whole cast

Peyton LaMorte
@peyton
Broadway

Sep 13, 2025

Maybe
Peyton LaMorte
@peyton
Broadway

Aug 17, 2025 · Matinee

Maybe
Nova C
@nova_capace
Broadway

Jul 2, 2025 · Evening

Cast this performance
Emcee
Orville peck
sally bowles
eva noblezada
Peyton LaMorte
@peyton
Broadway

May 17, 2025

Cast this performance
Sally Bowles
Eva Noblezada
Emcee
Orville Peck
Peyton LaMorte
@peyton
Broadway

Apr 7, 2025 · Matinee

Peyton LaMorte
@peyton
Broadway

Oct 26, 2024 · Evening

Recommends
Cast this performance
Emcee
Adam Lambert
Sally Bowles
Auliʻi Cravalho
Peyton LaMorte
@peyton
Broadway

Apr 14, 2024

oliviagsimpson
@oliviagsimpson
Broadway

Apr 10, 2024 · Matinee

Recommends

Synopsis

Set in 1931 Berlin as the Nazis rise to power, the musical focuses on the nightlife at the seedy Kit Kat Klub.

Production history

Filter productions
Broadway

August Wilson Theatre

New York · Revival

Apr 21, 2024 – Sep 21, 2025

West End

Playhouse Theatre

London · Revival

Dec 12, 2021 – Present

Current
Broadway

Studio 54

New York · Revival

Apr 24, 2014 – Mar 29, 2015

Regional

Theater Latte Da

Minneapolis

Jan 15 – Feb 9, 2014

Musical numbers

Act 1

  1. Willkommen
  2. So What?
  3. Telephone Song
  4. Don't Tell Mama
  5. Mein Herr
  6. Perfectly Marvelous
  7. Two Ladies
  8. It Couldn't Please Me More
  9. Tomorrow Belongs to Me
  10. Money
  11. Married
  12. Meeskite
  13. Tomorrow Belongs to Me (Reprise)

Act 2

  1. Entr'acte / Kickline
  2. Married (Reprise)
  3. If You Could See Her (The Gorilla Song)
  4. What Would You Do?
  5. I Don't Care Much
  6. Cabaret
  7. Finale Ultimo

Frequently asked questions

Is Cabaret suitable for children?

Cabaret is recommended for ages 13 and up due to mature themes, sexual content, violent political imagery, and substance use. Children under 4 are not permitted in the theatre.

What is Cabaret based on?

Cabaret is based on John Van Druten's 1951 play 'I Am a Camera', which was adapted from Christopher Isherwood's 1939 semi-autobiographical novella 'Goodbye to Berlin'.

How does the Cabaret musical differ from the 1972 film version?

The 1972 movie adaptation directed by Bob Fosse cut several subplots—most notably the romance between Fräulein Schneider and Herr Schultz—and dropped most character songs sung outside the Kit Kat Klub stage, while introducing new songs like 'Mein Herr' and 'Money, Money'.

Who originated the role of the Emcee in Cabaret?

Joel Grey originated the role of the Emcee in the 1966 Broadway premiere and won a Tony Award for his performance, later reprising the role in the 1972 film to win an Academy Award.

Cabaret poster
Productions
4
Run years
2014–26
Cities
3

New York, London, Minneapolis.