Come to the Cabaret
I am excited and looking forward to Footlight Theatre’s production of Cabaret, which takes place in 1929 Germany, where people were split politically and grappling with the same issues we are facing right now. I see it as a cautionary tale.
Then, a charismatic outsider was preaching a Germany first platform and openly blaming Jews and immigrants and calling past leaders weak on crime claiming Germans needed to earn back their place in the world. He would eventually be deporting Jews to concentration camps in other countries. Through lies and insults he was gaining a loyal following.
Fast forward to today, where a charismatic outsider is preaching an American first platform, openly blaming Hispanics, blacks and Muslim immigrants (he’ll get to the Jews next) and calling past leaders weak on crime (even though rates fell under Biden), claiming Americans need to earn back their place in the world. He is a little further along now than Hitler in 1929. Think 1935 Germany. He is already deporting immigrants to concentration camps in other countries and has quickly established a fascist régime. Through lies and insults he has gained a loyal following and has control of the electoral system, defying court orders, and rewriting history.
That is why I am glad to be in the cast of this classic show. I am playing Herr Shultz, the German/Jew who believes he understands the Germans. I consider this production a creative form of protest. Cabaret will run here in Charleston. weekends 8/22 – 9/7. Tickets are selling fast. I can tell you based on rehearsals, it is going to be one for the books.
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