It's the early 1930s in a pre-war Berlin. Writer Cliff Bradshaw has come to the city in search of inspiration for his new novel. After renting a cheap room at a boardinghouse managed by the elderly yet spirited Fräulein Schneider, Bradshaw takes in a show at the sleazy Kit Kat Klub. The star is sexy, brash cabaret singer Sally Bowles, who catches his attention in no time flat and moves herself into his room shortly after her boyfriend kicks her to the curb, the roommates becoming lovers after several months of cohabitation. Meanwhile, Fräulein Schneider finds herself courted by boarder Herr Schultz, an elderly Jewish fruit shop owner who brings her a pineapple as a romantic gesture and later defends her honor by proposing. The two couples carry on contented, willfully ignorant of the outside world, where political tensions have escalated and Nazis soldiers march the streets. Will either pair enjoy a happy ending? Or neither? Find out during Carrollwood Players' professional-level production of Kander and Ebb's much-loved musical, Cabaret. Through July 21, 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 3 p.m. Sun., Carrollwood Playhouse, 4335 Gunn Highway, Tampa, $18 general/$16 seniors and students, 813-265-4000.
This article appears in Jul 4-10, 2007.