Montreal audiences can’t stop talking about Contact Theatre’s electrifying production of Cabaret, and with good reason.
With still two performances to go , this unforgettable, immersive experience played to sold-out crowds this past week at the Studio Hydro-Québec at Le Monument National, and it delivered everything you could want in a night at the theatre: spectacle, substance, and soul !
A Classic Reimagined for Today
Set in Berlin just before the Nazi regime takes hold, Cabaret follows the lives of nightclub performers and patrons as their freedoms begin to slip away. It’s a show that’s dazzling on the surface, yet devastating in its message asking audiences to confront the dangers of political apathy, discrimination, and silence.
In a time when many of these themes still ring painfully true, Contact Theatre’s production didn’t shy away from the dark heart of the story, it embraced it with fearless authenticity and rich emotional depth.
Brought to Life by Visionary Talent
This powerful production was brought to the stage by an exceptional creative team:
- Produced by Ally Brumer
- Direction and Choreography by Debora Friedmann, who infused the show with raw energy and sharp movement
- Musical Direction by Giancarlo Scalia, masterfully leading a live band from the piano—delivering the heartbeat of the Kit Kat Klub in every measure
The result? A sensory-rich, immersive experience that held the attention of all in attendance.
Director and choreographer Debora Friedmann shares that this piece is deeply personal.
“Nearly sixty years after Cabaret first emerged, and almost a hundred years after the events it reflects, its chilling relevance refuses to fade,” Friedmann says. “This story reminds us of the power of art to illuminate the past, challenge the present, and demand a better future.”
The production draws a direct line between the rise of fascism in Weimar Germany and current global political climates, asking audiences to reflect on their roles in history as it’s being written today.
The result is not just entertainment: it’s an urgent wake-up call.
🍸 The VIP Cabaret Experience: First-Class Theatre
For those who purchased VIP tickets, the night was something extra special:
- ✨ Preferred cabaret seating: up close and personal, right in the heart of the action
- 🍸 A complimentary cocktail or mocktail, selected when you bought your ticket
- 🎭 Immersive interactions with performers and the production
⚠️ Content & Effects Advisory
Cabaret was an immersive, adult-themed experience that included:
- Partial nudity, the removal of clothing onstage
- Mature topics: pregnancy, abortion, antisemitism, homophobia, transphobia, substance abuse, domestic violence, and physical assault
- Nazi iconography including swastikas and salutes
- Audience interaction, including potential physical touch (with clear opportunities to give or withdraw consent with the use of beaded necklaces.)
- Use of haze and flashing lights
Stay Tuned — More to Come from Contact Theatre
@sandoval_snaps
@violette.marechalIf you missed Cabaret, don’t let it happen again. Contact Theatre is just getting started. With a reputation for bold productions, diverse casting, and socially relevant storytelling, they’re carving a new path for immersive theatre in Montreal.
Keep your eye on what’s coming next: Visit : contacttheatre.ca