Stage Right's 'Cabaret' an always relevant social commentary

Irwin native Mandie Russak has frequented the Kit Kat Club before, where she welcomed visitors as the Emcee in a previous production of “Cabaret” by Split Stage Productions in 2017.

She returns to the seedy night spot as the unforgettable Sally Bowles, an English cabaret performer during the rise of power by the Nazis in 1931 Berlin, in Stage Right’s version of the iconic 1966 musical with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and book by Joe Masteroff.

“Cabaret” will be presented for three performances Feb. 28-March 1 at the Lamp Theatre in Irwin.

Taking on the role of the Emcee will be veteran actor and Greensburg native Kevin Daniel “Cav” O’Leary, who played the part twice before, once at Penn State University when he was 18 years old, and again at Apple Hill Playhouse in Delmont at 21.

Both of his previous performances took place when he was “far too young to really grasp the full context and importance of the material,” he says. “I’m glad to have the opportunity to re-explore the role at a more appropriate age with additional knowledge and performing experience under my belt.”

‘Blissfully unaware’

For Russak, now living in Regent Square, Sally Bowles is one of the most complex characters she has ever played.

“She is blissfully unaware of the world and the consequences of things she thinks don’t apply to her, but she means well,” Russak says. “She tries to sweep problems under the rug and keep her chin up in the face of despair. She wants to be happy, but doesn’t know how to go about maintaining happiness.”

Russak says she looks forward to the new challenge of playing Sally Bowles with “all of her quirks and characteristics. Her journey is so beautifully tragic and her reasons for living the life she does are both scary and exhilarating to play.”

About his character, O’Leary says, “I love that he is isolated from everyone on any meaningful level, but it still seems as if he’s in control of everyone and everything. In our version, we see that control that he enjoys taken from him in the end in a very surprising way.”

He feels his character represents a lot of what the Nazi party demonized in Germany at the time, specifically uninhibited sexual and artistic expression.

“He begins the show as almost an outside observer, musically commenting on the other characters’ actions; later on, he takes a turn and becomes a part of their world himself, having to come to terms with his own role in the imminent Nazi takeover,” O’Leary says.

Timeless message

“Cabaret” is always a relevant musical, according to O’Leary, because what happened in 1930s Germany can happen anytime, anywhere.

“It’s a story about what happens to a society when people see injustice and choose to turn a blind eye, stop participating and fail to stand up for what’s right,” he says. “It warns against what can happen, and has historically already happened, when people allow fear and apathy to control their choices.”

Russak agreed that “Cabaret” is timeless.

“You can find similarities with the setting and present day,” she says. “Hopefully, theatergoers will leave the show and continue the conversation of what they just saw and how it might relate to today.”

Also featured in Stage Right’s “Cabaret” will be Brady Patsy as Cliff Bradshaw, the love interest of Sally Bowles, along with Renata Marino, Jason Swauger, Tony Marino, Anthony Marino Jr., Layne Bailey, Emily Welsh and Kim McLeod.

Scenic design

The show is being directed by Tony Marino, choreographed by Renata Marino and stage-managed by Anna Stewart. Christopher McAllister will lead a 10-piece band onstage.

Mark Kissner is in charge of multimedia scenic design, Amy Heinen is lighting designer and Good Sounds Inc. will provide the sound design.

Kissner’s scenic design features projected backgrounds and live video footage. The computer technology allows for projecting in four quadrants, Marino says.

“One side will show a historic newsreel, while the other side is inside the Kit Kat Klub, then it fades to Fraulein Schneider’s apartment,” he says. “It lends such a cinematic quality to this production.”

There also will be an authenticity to the show’s German-inflected dialogue, Marino says.

“Renata grew up with German grandparents, and Christopher is well-versed in German pronunciation,” he says. “We’re blessed to have this expertise in our crew.”