Cabaret
at Fullerton Union

Reviewed on March 9, 2019

Rachel Golkin
Mission Viejo
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Come to the ‘Cabaret' at Fullerton Union
written by Rachel Golkin, a senior at Mission Viejo High School

Willkommen, bienvenue, and welcome to Fullerton Union High School's chilling production of "Cabaret," where the audience is presented with the horrifying outcome of choosing passiveness over action in the face of growing danger.

In pre-WWII Berlin, growing support for the Nazi party is looming in the shadows of the Kit Kat Klub, a seedy vaudevillian cabaret where ignorant bystanders are lured in by the disingenuous Emcee (Devin Ricklef) for a cheap distraction as the world crumbles down around them.

Gliding across the stage with a sinister grin and eyes wide open in feigned innocence, Ricklef's flawlessly flirtatious German accent entices the audience into forgetting their troubles and sinking into the facade he's crafted.

Abigail Lange is perfectly marvelous as the carefree and eccentric Kit Kat Klub performer Sally Bowles. After meeting Cliff Bradshaw (Nathaniel Baesel), an American novelist staying in Berlin, she slinks into his room, winning him over with a whiny drawl and sultry pout. Her gorgeous voice soars in "Maybe This Time" as she drops her melodramatic persona to consider settling down with Baesel.

Isley Duarte is wonderfully genuine as Cliff's landlord, the elderly Fraulein Schneider. Duarte's sophisticated and uptight demeanor softens as she falls in love with Herr Schultz (Cooper Miller), a kind Jewish man. They share a moment of heartbreaking tenderness when Duarte must choose between love and safety after the Nazis come to power. She hardens and turns away coldly, only her trembling voice and quivering lip giving away her despair.

Standing idly by and watching the story unfold with disturbingly blank faces, the versatile ensemble is instrumental in creating the show's ghastly mirage. When they perform in ominously extravagant numbers, their light-hearted and carefree expressions are terrifying. One star among them is Frenchie (Allison Jeu), who dances with extraordinary grace and passion.

David Block's lighting design encapsulates the nightmarish spectacle of the show. In "Money," the stage is flooded with a dazzling bright green, lightening the mood, but later a blood-curdling shade of crimson creeps grimly into scene as the Nazis rise up in "Tomorrow Belongs to Me Reprise."

Sound designer Avi Block seamlessly blends the haunting rhythm of gunshots and air raids into the "Kickline Number," making the cheerful dancing and upbeat tune incredibly unsettling.

FUHS examines the dreadful result of standing idly by as hatred slowly lurks out of the shadows and takes center stage.

Rachel Golkin
Mission Viejo
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Come to the ‘Cabaret' at Fullerton Union
written by Rachel Golkin, a senior at Mission Viejo High School

Willkommen, bienvenue, and welcome to Fullerton Union High School's chilling production of "Cabaret," where the audience is presented with the horrifying outcome of choosing passiveness over action in the face of growing danger.

In pre-WWII Berlin, growing support for the Nazi party is looming in the shadows of the Kit Kat Klub, a seedy vaudevillian cabaret where ignorant bystanders are lured in by the disingenuous Emcee (Devin Ricklef) for a cheap distraction as the world crumbles down around them.

Gliding across the stage with a sinister grin and eyes wide open in feigned innocence, Ricklef's flawlessly flirtatious German accent entices the audience into forgetting their troubles and sinking into the facade he's crafted.

Abigail Lange is perfectly marvelous as the carefree and eccentric Kit Kat Klub performer Sally Bowles. After meeting Cliff Bradshaw (Nathaniel Baesel), an American novelist staying in Berlin, she slinks into his room, winning him over with a whiny drawl and sultry pout. Her gorgeous voice soars in "Maybe This Time" as she drops her melodramatic persona to consider settling down with Baesel.

Isley Duarte is wonderfully genuine as Cliff's landlord, the elderly Fraulein Schneider. Duarte's sophisticated and uptight demeanor softens as she falls in love with Herr Schultz (Cooper Miller), a kind Jewish man. They share a moment of heartbreaking tenderness when Duarte must choose between love and safety after the Nazis come to power. She hardens and turns away coldly, only her trembling voice and quivering lip giving away her despair.

Standing idly by and watching the story unfold with disturbingly blank faces, the versatile ensemble is instrumental in creating the show's ghastly mirage. When they perform in ominously extravagant numbers, their light-hearted and carefree expressions are terrifying. One star among them is Frenchie (Allison Jeu), who dances with extraordinary grace and passion.

David Block's lighting design encapsulates the nightmarish spectacle of the show. In "Money," the stage is flooded with a dazzling bright green, lightening the mood, but later a blood-curdling shade of crimson creeps grimly into scene as the Nazis rise up in "Tomorrow Belongs to Me Reprise."

Sound designer Avi Block seamlessly blends the haunting rhythm of gunshots and air raids into the "Kickline Number," making the cheerful dancing and upbeat tune incredibly unsettling.

FUHS examines the dreadful result of standing idly by as hatred slowly lurks out of the shadows and takes center stage.

Emily Boyer
Mission Viejo
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

Fullerton Union Welcomes All to the "Cabaret"
written by Emily Boyer, a senior at Mission Viejo High School

In their astounding production of "Cabaret," Fullerton Union explodes with energy in their cabaret as the festivities continue all night, until the harsh realities of the time catch up with the dazzling spectacle that is the Kit Kat Klub.

Opening the show is the Master of Ceremonies at the Kit Kat Klub, Emcee (Devin Ricklef), as he strides across the stage with his expressive gestures and flamboyant nature. Ricklef's bold facial expressions, tall posture, and his consistent interaction with the Kit Kat Klub performers make his character real, believable, and captivating. As Germany begins to crumble, Ricklef keeps his exuberant nature until his final moments, but allows the sorrow he feels to show through, revealing that his liveliness truly is a facade.

Sally Bowles is beautifully portrayed by Abigail Lange, as she glamorously glides across the Kit Kat Klub stage with dramatic intonation and smooth delivery. Her bright confidence slowly withers as her vulnerability shows through in her song, "Maybe This Time." Her love interest, Clifford Bradshaw (Nathaniel Baesel), begins with an innocent curiosity, but slowly is revealed to the horrors of Germany as he raises his voice and asserts defiance.

Fraulein Schneider (Isley Darte) and Herr Schultz (Cooper Miller) add a grounded realness to the buzzing party of the Kit Kat Klub with a layer of sincerity to the piece. Their unwavering hunched posture and mature and rugged voices make for convincing older, endearing characters.

The Kit Kat Klub performers smoothly, yet assertively engulf the space, always portraying their unique, yet synchronized characters, particularly notable in the song, "Money." The performers use expressive facials and extravagant technique as they throw money and celebrate the life they are living.

Stage management, by Samantha Brackman and Hayley Harvey, is executed exquisitely, as each cue is perfectly timed, bringing the show together to move smoothly and efficiently.

Sets, designed by Tate Heinle, flawlessly communicate the chaos that ensues in the show, through its intricate narrow planks that overlap to create the background of the Klub. The Kit Kat Klub sign lights up the stage, drawing attention to the gaudiness of the cabaret.

In the glamour of the Kit Kat Klub, the cast of Fullerton Union's "Cabaret" tells a powerful piece of history, reminding us that although things may all be seemingly perfect in the cabaret, there is always a war to fight in the end.

Emily Boyer
Mission Viejo
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

Fullerton Union Welcomes All to the "Cabaret"
written by Emily Boyer, a senior at Mission Viejo High School

In their astounding production of "Cabaret," Fullerton Union explodes with energy in their cabaret as the festivities continue all night, until the harsh realities of the time catch up with the dazzling spectacle that is the Kit Kat Klub.

Opening the show is the Master of Ceremonies at the Kit Kat Klub, Emcee (Devin Ricklef), as he strides across the stage with his expressive gestures and flamboyant nature. Ricklef's bold facial expressions, tall posture, and his consistent interaction with the Kit Kat Klub performers make his character real, believable, and captivating. As Germany begins to crumble, Ricklef keeps his exuberant nature until his final moments, but allows the sorrow he feels to show through, revealing that his liveliness truly is a facade.

Sally Bowles is beautifully portrayed by Abigail Lange, as she glamorously glides across the Kit Kat Klub stage with dramatic intonation and smooth delivery. Her bright confidence slowly withers as her vulnerability shows through in her song, "Maybe This Time." Her love interest, Clifford Bradshaw (Nathaniel Baesel), begins with an innocent curiosity, but slowly is revealed to the horrors of Germany as he raises his voice and asserts defiance.

Fraulein Schneider (Isley Darte) and Herr Schultz (Cooper Miller) add a grounded realness to the buzzing party of the Kit Kat Klub with a layer of sincerity to the piece. Their unwavering hunched posture and mature and rugged voices make for convincing older, endearing characters.

The Kit Kat Klub performers smoothly, yet assertively engulf the space, always portraying their unique, yet synchronized characters, particularly notable in the song, "Money." The performers use expressive facials and extravagant technique as they throw money and celebrate the life they are living.

Stage management, by Samantha Brackman and Hayley Harvey, is executed exquisitely, as each cue is perfectly timed, bringing the show together to move smoothly and efficiently.

Sets, designed by Tate Heinle, flawlessly communicate the chaos that ensues in the show, through its intricate narrow planks that overlap to create the background of the Klub. The Kit Kat Klub sign lights up the stage, drawing attention to the gaudiness of the cabaret.

In the glamour of the Kit Kat Klub, the cast of Fullerton Union's "Cabaret" tells a powerful piece of history, reminding us that although things may all be seemingly perfect in the cabaret, there is always a war to fight in the end.

Danika McKee
Mater Dei
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

Wilkommen to Fullerton Union High School's Production of "Cabaret!"
written by Danika McKee, a senior at Mater Dei High School

Set in pre-World War II Germany as the Nazi's are rising to power, Fullerton Union's "Cabaret" follows the night life of Berlin and how the Cabaret distracts the attendees and performers from what is happening outside of the show.

As the welcoming, energetic, and slithering Emcee of the Cabaret, Devin Rickleff is always the center of attention, acting as more of a puppeteer than an actual character as he moves the show along. Whether creeping across stage through the shadows or giving a show-stopping performance in "Kick Line Number", Rickleff keeps up his happy and physically expressive facade that casts a shadow over the dark, outside world.

Self-centered and oblivious Abigail Lange (Sally Bowles) fills the room with her slick, smooth stage presence, seemingly floating across stage. After stunning performances of "Maybe This Time" and "Cabaret" her character choices switch, becoming more aware of her surroundings and the need to find a new lifestyle.

Isley Duarte (Fraulein Schneider) and Cooper Miller (Herr Schultz) create wholesome, natural, raw chemistry onstage in the way they flirt back and forth, dance together, and help each other up and down the stairs at their ripe old ages. In the devastating realization that the enamored couple must break up due to surrounding political tension, they sacrifice their love and happy ending for their safety instead.

The Kit Kat Klub performers steal the show each time they move their bodies. Their flirtatious and captivating dancing catches the attention of everyone attending the Cabaret. The way they fluidly move set pieces and perform stunts with over-exaggerated facials is truly enticing. Standout Kit Kat Girl, Mikayla Haugen, also plays the role of Chanteuse, mesmerizing the audience with her silvery, honey-like vocals during "Married".

Set design by Tate Heinle is innovative and efficient with his use of a fly system to bring down a panel of one door, three doors, signs, and banners to easily display the setting of the scene taking place. The use of a hydraulics system at the end as people are being sent off to concentration camps, digs deep into the soul as they vanish under and out of sight.

Fullerton Union High School's production of "Cabaret" allows us all to escape our present and remember the past.

Danika McKee
Mater Dei
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

Wilkommen to Fullerton Union High School's Production of "Cabaret!"
written by Danika McKee, a senior at Mater Dei High School

Set in pre-World War II Germany as the Nazi's are rising to power, Fullerton Union's "Cabaret" follows the night life of Berlin and how the Cabaret distracts the attendees and performers from what is happening outside of the show.

As the welcoming, energetic, and slithering Emcee of the Cabaret, Devin Rickleff is always the center of attention, acting as more of a puppeteer than an actual character as he moves the show along. Whether creeping across stage through the shadows or giving a show-stopping performance in "Kick Line Number", Rickleff keeps up his happy and physically expressive facade that casts a shadow over the dark, outside world.

Self-centered and oblivious Abigail Lange (Sally Bowles) fills the room with her slick, smooth stage presence, seemingly floating across stage. After stunning performances of "Maybe This Time" and "Cabaret" her character choices switch, becoming more aware of her surroundings and the need to find a new lifestyle.

Isley Duarte (Fraulein Schneider) and Cooper Miller (Herr Schultz) create wholesome, natural, raw chemistry onstage in the way they flirt back and forth, dance together, and help each other up and down the stairs at their ripe old ages. In the devastating realization that the enamored couple must break up due to surrounding political tension, they sacrifice their love and happy ending for their safety instead.

The Kit Kat Klub performers steal the show each time they move their bodies. Their flirtatious and captivating dancing catches the attention of everyone attending the Cabaret. The way they fluidly move set pieces and perform stunts with over-exaggerated facials is truly enticing. Standout Kit Kat Girl, Mikayla Haugen, also plays the role of Chanteuse, mesmerizing the audience with her silvery, honey-like vocals during "Married".

Set design by Tate Heinle is innovative and efficient with his use of a fly system to bring down a panel of one door, three doors, signs, and banners to easily display the setting of the scene taking place. The use of a hydraulics system at the end as people are being sent off to concentration camps, digs deep into the soul as they vanish under and out of sight.

Fullerton Union High School's production of "Cabaret" allows us all to escape our present and remember the past.