Review On Cabaret

June 21st, 2018

Dan Berkowitz

Registered Critic

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.

DAN BERKOWITZ is a member of the Council of The Dramatists Guild of America, the professional association of playwrights, composers, and lyricists; and Co-Chair of The Alliance of Los Angeles Playwrights, the service and support organization for playwrights in Southern California. His writing for the stage has been produced off-Broadway, at major regionals, and in other venues across the US and Canada, and includes the popular revue A… My Name Is Still Alice; There’s No Place Like Hollywood!, nominated for LA’s Ovation Award for Best Musical; and more short plays than he can remember. Dan also produces, directs, and is a script and production consultant. http://danberkowitz.com.