Cabaret [Jay Soundtrack]

Personnel: Claire Moore, John Mark Ainsley, Gregg Edelman, Louise Gold, Maria Friedman, Fred Ebb, Jonathan Pryce, Caroline O'Connor (vocals).
Liner Note Author: Rexton S. Bunnett.
Recording information: EMI Abbey Road Studios, London, England (06/29/1993-12/03/1993).
Photographer: Clive Barda.
One of the classics of the Broadway theater, Cabaret explores the German nightlife in 1930s Nazi Germany. The focus is on three separate couples and a troupe of nightclub performers, led by one devastating and compelling emcee. The music is enchanting and uninhibited, and the score features several classics including "Don't Tell Mama," "Tomorrow Belongs to Me," "Money," and the titular "Cabaret." Cabaret first opened in 1966 in New York to radiant reviews and ran for 1,165 performances. The film version, released in 1972, only served to bolster an already awed audience's reaction by altering the musical to suit lead Liza Minnelli's strengths. This various-artists compilation, released in 1999, features several unique performances, including Judi Dench as Fraulein Schneider and Fred Ebb (who co-wrote the musical) as Herr Schultz. For fans of the show, it would be a great addition to their collection. ~ Sarah Erlewine