The Dangers of Political Apathy; “Cabaret” and its Relevance Today
The musical “Cabaret” (based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Christopher Isherwood, Goodbye to Berlin) tells the story of a society on the brink of chaos in 1930’s Berlin during the rise of Nazism. The narrative revolves around a group of hedonistic characters and the sleazy Kit Kat Klub.
The majority of the story follows the American writer Clifford Bradshaw and his risque relationship with the English singer Salley Bowles. There is also a doomed side plot relationship between a Jewish fruit vendor, Herr Shultz, and a German boarding house owner, Fraulein Shneider, whose love is directly tested by antisemitic violence. Throughout the show, the Emcee (or master of ceremonies) guides the story and the Kit Kat Klub, which serves as a metaphor for the growing political tension of the time, and the rise of Nazism.
At its core, “Cabaret” is about the distraction and denial of dark political realities. The most prevalent example of this is the main female character, Sally, who lives in the moment, and denies the somber truth of Nazism. In opposition to Sally’s willful ignorance, Clifford, her romantic counterpart, is far more aware of the dangerous political landscape, and is rightfully concerned. This conflict of attitude is a direct reflection of the theme, how apathy in the face of fascism can be dangerous.
The show includes musical numbers that are threaded with dark irony which serves as commentary on a rapidly derailing society. On a literal level, the musical ends with Cliff leaving Berlin. Sally stays in the city, choosing to live in escapism. “Politics…what’s that got to do with us?” she says in reference to the Nazzis.
The Kit Kat Klub is a space where the citizens of Berlin can escape from their dark reality. The performances are sexually charged, unrestrained, and boisterous, providing a space for the escape that characters crave. Sally Bowles can be seen as a characterized symbol of this kind of escapism. She performs at the club even as her personal life and the political climate worsens, as a way to ignore the consequences of her actions.
An enormous parallel can be drawn here to the American contemporary society; a world that is engrossed in consumerism, online distractions, and short term pleasures. These online spaces where many hide from the pressing political and societal issues can be considered the modern Kit Kat Klub. Though there are people who use digital platforms to educate themselves and others on the dire situations of the world, the overall focus of the media is often on other things. The immediate gratification of the digital world often overtakes attention on such issues.
There are many ways that American society has been consumed with the contemporary version of the club. The way the majority of media is more concerned with consumption, entertainment, and celebrity culture than the alarming truths of the world. For example: the steady rising of extremism, the decay of democracy, and the tearing down of constitutional standards. Not to mention the emboldening of Neo-Nazi groups in recent months and the rising of anti-semitism, transphobia, racism, and bigotry in general. For a couple of recent illustrative examples, on January 20 President Trump was inaugurated and signed many executive orders. One of them being an executive order that denies the existence of trans and nonbinary individuals. It proclaims that the U.S. government only recognizes two sexes, male and female. This order can only be expected to encourage and fortify transphobia in America. This is only one of the many extreme discriminatory executive orders that President Trump signed. Another example of recent extremism would be the salutes that Elon Musk performed during the celebration of President Trump’s inauguration. Many have likened the gestures to the well known and recognized Nazi salute, but some disagree.
The musical’s themes of political apathy, escapism and opulent distraction create an uncomfortable cautionary tale that invites its audience to do exactly what it warns against: watching as an authoritarian and fascist society is created. “Cabaret” invites audiences to think about moral responsibility, and what political apathy can lead to in times of crisis.
“We’ve strayed so far away from politics, and some people don’t think it’s important anymore” Ali Sanfrancesco ‘25 says, when commenting on the lack of interest in the 2024 presidential election. “They don’t feel the need to be involved in it, but in reality, it affects us all the time, every day, everything we do is rooted in politics”.
“Cabaret” paints a picture of enticing facism can be, as Sally and Cliff watch Berlin fall farther and farther into chaos. In a similar extreme manner, U.S. far right movements have increasingly grown in prominence in politics, normalizing rhetoric, anti-immigrant and nationalist ideology. “Cabaret” shows that by the time people recognize harmful patterns, it may be far too late. Though the political agitation in America is not yet close to the violence of Nazism, certain growing themes of extremism are difficult to deny.
“The main point of each “Cabaret” ending is to hold audience reflection. So I think if anyone does go see “Cabaret”, please research anything you’re confused about” Sanfrancesco advises. “The message is really important, it encourages people to take action and it’s so important today in our society to take action and realize what’s happening around us in politics.”
Though “Cabaret” can be summarized simply, its content demands complex nuance, and it holds many interpretations. For a better understanding, it is extremely helpful to complete individual research and viewing; there is a full version of the show that can be found freely on YouTube, featuring Alan Cummings as the Emcee.
