National Coming Out Day is here! I can't think of a better way to celebrate it than to go fully be yourself at a decadent and sexually charged production of Cabaret at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre (call (847) 577-2121 for tickets). Yes, I know it's in the suburbs. But like those of you who can't stand New York City for thinking it's the only place for theatre, downtown Chicago is not the only place for great theatre in this town we call Chicagoland. Arlington Heights is less than a thirty minute commute on the Metra or by car from Chicago. It's a brand new space, has some great restaurants, and best of all, they have top notch productions. Yes, my partner and I have both acted there. But this is my column and not meant to be an unbiased review. It's about my favorite way to celebrate National Coming Out Day this year and why I think Metropolis' production of Cabaret is the way to do it! So Strap This On:
My Top Ten Reasons to See Cabaret at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
10) The pre-show. The Kit Kat Club women and men come out, very scantily clad, to mingle with the audience. I suggest an aisle seat. They may come sit on your lap.
9) Political relevance. Imagine a country whose leader created a war against a people based on his own personal agenda and constantly told his own people he's supposed to represent that it would make their country safer.
8) You can bring drinks into the theatre. There are some shows that this would really bother me with but definitely not this one. There are even cup holders on the arm rests. It gives you the atmosphere that you really are in the Kit Kat Club.
7) There's boy on boy, girl and girl on boy and boy pretending to be girl on boy and girl. It's very uninhibited. If nothing else, it'll really get you in the mood.
6) The cabaret tables are right next to the stage. This will really bring you in for your close up. And like the multi-talented and very effective Emcee reminds us about the girls fighting to take their clothes off, tonight they just may lose the battle.
5) Women kissing on stage. There's plenty of subtext going on with girl on girl
relationships being shown. They seemed to kiss just a little too long the other day. I may have my own contest with a stopwatch to see just how long they can keep it going. Thank you, ladies.
4) Two Ladies and my ability to see myself in a future production as the Emcee for this number alone. I like it.
3) 'Don't Tell Mama.' This musical number has the Kit Kat girls and Sally in baby doll negligees and garters lying on their backs and doing plenty of bumping and grinding.
2) Fraulein Kost is the resident lady of the night. She's a dominatrix type boot girl with a whip. If you're very bad, she may have to spank you.
1) Fraulein Schneider. My beautiful and very talented partner plays the morally torn landlady. It's not only that she's the most incredible performer to me, it's also the private time we re-enact scenes from the show later that night I most appreciate.
Lisa Rock is a syndicated columnist based in Chicago and can be reached at StrapThisOn@aol.com .
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