In a world where staying relevant often means evolving or fading into obscurity, the art of reinvention isn't just a creative choice—it's the key to a lasting legacy. Few shows exemplify this better than CABARET, the groundbreaking musical that has been reimagined and revitalized through countless iterations since its debut in 1966.
Now, in 2024, the latest Broadway revival brings a fresh twist with the highly anticipated debuts of Adam Lambert and Auli’i Cravalho, as they replace outgoing stars Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin.
But what makes this production and these leads so captivating? Read on to explore how CABARET continues to evolve, and why fresh takes are keeping this legendary show as relevant as ever.
Key Takeaways to look for in this article:
Reinvention is key: Evolving keeps creative work relevant and thriving.
Adaptation fuels longevity: CABARET’s continuous reimagining keeps it alive across generations.
New faces, fresh buzz: Casting new talent like Adam Lambert attracts attention and excitement.
Balance tradition and innovation: Reinventing works means respecting the past while pushing boundaries.
Evergreen work equals profit: Creating a timeless yet versatile product allows for continual revenue.
A Case Study on Reinvention:
The Perennial Masterpiece of CABARET
As far as musicals go, CABARET is one of the most noted amongst die-hard musical fans and casual consumers. A major factor in its broad appeal is the balance of familiarity and reinvention amongst its innumerable reboots throughout its almost sixty-year legacy.
From Page to Stage to Screen:
A Brief History
CABARET had its origins in Christopher Isherwood’s anecdotal novel Goodbye to Berlin (based on his life in 1930s Berlin). The book was then adapted into the play I Am a Camera by John Van Druten before becoming a musical which debuted in 1966, with music by legendary duo John Kander and Fred Ebb, and a script by Joe Masteroff.
For the 1972 film starring Liza Minelli as Sally Bowles, Bob Fosse took the basic framework of the stage musical, but chose to reintroduce details from Isherwood’s novel in the screenplay. On top of this redirection, Fosse also had composers Kander and Ebb write new songs for the film (Mein Herr; Money; Maybe This Time), which are now universally loved musical theatre staples.
The Revival That Set the Standard
In 1993, after Broadway and West End revivals in the mid-eighthies, the musical was once again reimagined—this time by British director, Sir Samuel Mendes. Mendes combined the original musical with elements of the film, pushing Bob Fosse’s racier themes even further. In this London production, The Master of Ceremonies (the “Emcee”) was played by Alan Cumming, whose portrayal fell in line with Mendes’ more provocative lens. Cumming continued reprising the role in various productions throughout the next 21 years. He has maintained an essence of androgyny and seduction which is now a baseline for the character’s portrayal.
Photo Credits: Friedman-Abeles, John Erwin, Marc Brenner & others
Going Immersive in 2024
The current Broadway production arrived with a bang in April after transferring from a successful 2021 West End revival.
“When Cabaret debuted at the Kit Kat Club at the August Wilson Theater…it opened to Hamilton-esque hysteria” - Glamour Magazine
The latest reimagining of this already eccentric piece of theatre is a boldly experimental take on the original, or any of its previous adaptations. Among the artistic revisions of director Rebecca Frecknall are the addition of an immersive prologue. Unassuming patrons enter the building via an alleyway, and follow a series of dimly neon-lit hallways, eventually finding themselves in a collection of speakeasy-like lounges. Here they’re treated to vaudeville-style entertainment before they even enter the main hall.
This pre-show atmosphere sets the tone for an intimate main show, which features an in-the-round stage, among other brave creative choices by Frecknall.
Theatre-goers enter the theatre during a preview of CABARET (Reddit user: chumpydo)
Inside the main hall at the August Wilson Theatre (Reddit user: chumpydo)
While not every spectator favours her direction, the production hasn’t suffered at the box office. Since its Spring 2024 opening, CABARET has been one of the hottest tickets on Broadway, consistently grossing between 1.5 and 2 million dollars a week. This puts the show among the long-time heavy-hitters The Lion King, Wicked and Hamilton.
Eddie Redmayne Schools Himself
This most recent reprisal opened with Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl, Fantastic Beasts) as the meddling Emcee. Redmayne took great care to find an earnest and unique portrayal of an iconic role that is tied so closely to his predecessors, fellow Tony-winners Joel Grey and Alan Cumming. Even after playing the role in the 2021 West End revival, Redmayne studied physical theatre to help him find a new take on character for the New York audience.
“The thing that I took away mostly was coming back and being prepped to go into the rehearsal space ready to fail — and fail hard.” - Eddie Redmayne, Washington Post
See Part 1 for Gary P. Pisano’s take on ‘tolerance for failure’ in innovative cultures.
Joel Grey, Alan Cumming, and Eddie Redmayne as “The Emcee” (Photos by: Douglas Kirkland, Corbis/Unknown/Marc Brenner)
Passing of the Baton: Lambert & Cravalho’s Broadway Debuts
Just when we think we’ve seen every possible rendition of this musical, a changing of the guard amongst the show’s cast shakes things up once again. With most Broadway productions running eight performances a week, one can only expect an actor to stay in a role for so long before they move onto new projects. But the beauty of this is that it allows for new talent to add their unique stamp to the tapestry of a show.
As of September 14, 2024, Eddie Redmayne has exited Kit Kat Club, and the Emcee will now be embodied by American Idol’s 2009 runner-up Adam Lambert, known for his edgy and androgynous flair.
Simultaneously, Gayle Rankin (The Greatest Showman, GLOW) has passed on the role of the sultry Sally Bowles to TV and film star Auli’i Cravalho (Disney’s Moana).
Adam Lambert & Auli’i Cravalho make their Broadway debuts in CABARET (Photo: Gina Manning)
A Seamless Transition
While this marks Lambert and Cravalho’s Broadway debuts, their talent and history filling others’ shoes make them ideal candidates to usher this production into its next era. Lambert has been fronting the band Queen for many years, in place of the late and legendary Freddie Mercury (who would have also made a great Emcee). And Cravalho recently played the feisty Janis in Tina Fey’s 2024 Mean Girls musical movie adaptation - another example of stepping into a role that has a history of adaptation.
The insertion of the new Emcee and Sally Bowles won’t change any other moving parts of the well-oiled operation, but their fresh energy will bring new life to the musical. Periodic cast changes are beneficial to the whole on-stage ensemble, as it refreshes their experience of doing the exact same performance eight times a week for months or years on end.
Adam Lambert by Mike Marsland/WireImage | Auli’i Cravalho by Evan Agostini/AP
Why CABARET Continues to Captivate
Between the original production, the film adaptation, and the numerous revivals since, CABARET is one of those versatile shows that can be twisted and interpreted in so many ways. Each director, actor, and designer will have their own perspectives and vision to make the material fresh, and add to its legacy.
Some renditions, like Bob Fosse’s influential film adaptation, have deviated significantly from the stylings of past versions; some are largely reprisals of a notably successful predecessor. And some interpretations of this ever-evolving piece have drawn from multiple versions, honouring the robust history of this cultural cornerstone.
A Growing Empire
While Mendes’ 1998 Broadway revival is perhaps the closest to what is now the ‘standard’ for this musical, several versions are in circulation. This makes CABARET one of only two Broadway musicals to have licensing rights available for multiple versions of the same show.
From a business standpoint, the estates of its original writers (from the book, play, and musical) continue to benefit as their work keeps being reincarnated, accumulating royalties. John Kander (co-composer with the late Fred Ebb) has a net worth of $20 million. This fortune can largely be attributed to his work on CABARET, along with other evergreen classics like Chicago (longest currently running show and revival in Broadway history).
A movie remake of Kander & Ebb's Kiss of the Spider Woman will star Jennifer Lopez
Embracing Evolution: The Ripple Effect
The versatility of CABARET demonstrates how reinvention can expand a singular vision into a kaleidoscope of possibilities, without sacrificing its core identity. Constant renewal speaks to a broader truth about the performing arts and beyond: true innovation isn’t about discarding the past, but about building upon an idea or concept.
Each interpretation—from the original stage version to the latest Broadway revival—honours the timeless foundation upon which it was built, while daring to explore uncharted territories. This is the power of evolution in the arts—a balance between tradition and innovation that transcends trends, and leaves a lasting mark on culture.
By embracing reinvention, artists and entrepreneurs not only keep their work relevant for new generations but also ensure that its impact endures.
This article is part of a blog series called The Art of Reinvention. Part 1 explored the essential balance between consistency and adaptation that is crucial for long-term success in any field, whether in business or the arts. If you missed that one, go back and read it now, then check back soon for Part 3 which will dive into the unshakeable success of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s HAMILTON.
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