I have a question; kind of a Ask Free For All Day Question Day:
Are there currently three versions of CABARET's libretto and score available for production? I was only aware of the original 60's version and the 1998 revival. Last night, I saw a production that included "Maybe This Time" and "The Money Song" (actually both of "Money Songs"), but that also include "Why Should I Wake Up?" and "Meeskite," both of which I thought had been cut from the revival. I was confused which version I was seeing.
As DR MattH mentioned, the only two legal versions are the original and the 1998 revival. However, many people do incorporate some of the movie songs (which were in the Sam Mendes/Rob Marshall version) legally or not so legally.
The production I did last fall at Arena Stage was basically the 1988 version. However, we did cut "Meeskite" - although it would have been "fun" to hear Walter Charles sing it - but "Mein Herr", "Maybe This Time" and "Money" were interpolated. -Although, having "Don't Tell Mama" and "Mein Herr" back to back was a bit redundant to me. -"Don't Tell Mama" was replaced by "Mein Herr" as Sally's first number in the movie.
We secured permission for the additional songs through Mr. Kander himself. And since he was busy with getting
Curtains open in L.A., we actually did not get the official word until our last week in the rehearsal hall.
The "funny" thing is is if you license the 1988 version, the rental packet is basically the original version with an appendix including "Money", "Don't Go", and "I Don't Care Much". So...
Does anyone still do "The Telephone Song"?
And I don't think I've ever seen a production of
Cabaret that's included "Don't Go"?
What say you?
