Theater Review: 'Cabaret' at Downtown Cabaret Theatre in Bridgeport

By Nancy Sasso Janis

In what was my first visit to the Downtown Cabaret Theatre in Bridgeport since I was a teenager, I experienced a performance of Kander and Ebb’s “Cabaret” in the venue’s cabaret setting. It was an impressive homecoming.

“Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome” to “Cabaret.” The time is 1931 Berlin, and inside the Kit Kat Klub, British nightclub singer Sally Bowles keeps the delirious party raging. Of course, no amount of booze, music, and dancing can slow the ominous march of a changing Germany.

“Cabaret,” with a book written by Joe Masteroff, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, was directed by the very talented Bradford Blake and the strong choices he makes are often visually stunning. The blocking of the opening scene makes a statement and is creatively repeated at the end. The chilling reprise of “Tomorrow Belongs to Me” that closes the first act clearly foreshadows what is to come in the second act.

Sean Davis of Derby leads the excellent cast in the role of the Emcee. Davis played this role at Fairfield Center Stage, as well as Mark Cohen in “Rent” and the title role in “Jack in the Beanstalk” at the Downtown Cabaret.

Kelsey Senteio gives a stunning performance as Sally Bowles. With a British accent and powerful singing voice, she commanded the stage. The Bridgeport resident appeared as Joanne in “Rent” at this venue and I look forward to seeing her onstage again.

I was thrilled to discover that Joseph “Jojo” DeVellis of Fairfield, a young performer that I have followed since their days with the 1214 Foundation, would play the author Cliff Bradshaw. The talented DeVellis appears in their first musical since the pandemic and gives another memorable performance.

The always busy Priscilla Squiers (who played Donna in “Mamma Mia!” at Downtown Cabaret) takes to this stage to tackle the important role of Fraulein Schneider and performs it perfectly. Her gift for speaking with the correct accent is on display and she performs “So What” and the haunting “What Would You Do” as only she can. Stratford resident Chris Hetherington as Herr Schultz works perfectly with his scene partner.

Emily Pisarra of Fairfield plays the statuesque Fraulein Kost and Jagger Kugler makes his Cabaret debut after a seven year performing hiatus as Ernst Ludwig. Ludwig is a performing arts teacher in Bridgeport and assistant director of Bridgeport’s FAME Academy. Alex Hartofelis and Ryan Romero make their debuts at the theater as Bobby and Victor.

The talented dancer/singers at the Cabaret include Kelly Alejos, Diana Deaver Fonicello, Carly Jurman, Casie Pepe, Juliana Rivera, Daniela Sawyer, Aleeki Shortridge, Erin Walsh (“Disaster” in Brookfield) and choreographer Olivia Rivera as the Kit Kat understudy.

The set design by David McQuillen Robertson is appropriately stark, because it is the characters that drive this story. I loved that the orchestra is seated single file above the stage. Sound design by Diesel Aodio worked well overall, although it was difficult to hear the Emcee when he was speaking over the music.

The thoughtful costume designed by Lesley Neilson-Bowman reflects the period with numerous changes for the principal characters. Even the Kit Kat Klub dancers change from white to black outfits that are not embarrassingly skimpy. The stark set design by David McQuillen Robertson allowed the characters to be the focus of the scenes.

The elevated six-piece orchestra made the iconic score sound wonderful and the audience clearly appreciated the entr'acte. Mark Ceppetelli served as musical director and led the musicians from the piano. The talented band features Gary Ruggiero on reeds, Michael Pontecorvo on trumpet, Aaron Barkon on trombone, Rich Zurkowski on bass, Roger Post on drums, and Nate Dobas as substitute drummer.

The choreography by Rivera is exciting and well executed, especially during the opening “Willkommen” and “Don’t Tell Mama.” Lighting by Axel Hammerman helped to paint the strong visuals.

I appreciated the printed programs available on each table that are augmented by a QR code. Hugh Hallinan is the executive producer at the Cabaret, with Phill Hill serving as the producer and artistic director.

The Downtown Cabaret is easy to find at 263 Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport. The venue encourages patrons to bring a picnic to every performance (and they do) and it provides colorful garbage bags in which to take their trash “all the way home.” There is also a clever Lucky Bucks raffle before the show.

The musical “Cabaret” continues at the cabaret theater through May 21, on Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 5pm and 8pm, and Sundays at 5pm. Tickets start at $37. Half-price tickets day of show subject to availability. Tickets at (203) 576-1636. Next up will be “9 to 5” opening on June 9.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.