WASHINGTON, October 9 (RIA Novosti) – An all-male cast plans to transplant the musical “Cabaret” from its original setting in Nazi-era Berlin to modern day Russia to take “direct aim at Russia’s stringent anti-LGBT policies” when it stages the play in Seattle later this year, Playbill.com has reported.
Images of Russian president Vladimir Putin will feature in the show and the production will incorporate “footage of the current neo-Nazi movement in the country,” Playbill.com reported Tuesday.
In its original version, “Cabaret” focuses on the story of a female entertainer who romances two men as the Nazi party ascends to power in Germany, according to movie information website, IMDb.com.
Openly gay Russian-born filmmaker Wes Hurley will star as the emcee – played by Joel Grey in the 1972 movie – and there are “many Russian speakers in the cast so we will be translating a little bit of the German into Russian," artistic director Mickey Rowe told Playbill.com.
Russia’s law banning the promotion of “non-traditional” relationships has come under heavy international criticism since it was enacted in July. While proponents of the new law argue it is aimed at protecting children, critics claim the legislation is part of a much wider crackdown on Russia’s LGBT community.
The all-male “Cabaret” with a Russian accent will run for free in Seattle’s Cornish Playhouse from November 28- December 13, Playbill.com reported.
