Broadway’s “Cabaret” Faces New Challenge: Inappropriate Laughter at Antisemitic Lines
Adam Lambert, currently starring as the Emcee in Broadway’s revival of “Cabaret,” has found himself confronting a disturbing trend emerging from the audience.
During a pivotal moment in the musical’s third act, the Emcee sings a love song to a gorilla – a scene designed to illuminate the insidious way antisemitism can infiltrate society. At the song’s end, the Emcee sings, “If you could see her through my eyes, She wouldn’t look Jewish at all.”
This line, once guaranteed to elicit gasps and recoils from audiences, is now sparking a different reaction – laughter.
A Chilling Turn
According to sources, on multiple occasions Lambert has been forced to silence perpetrators of this unsettling response.
“He gave the guy the iciest death stare I’ve ever seen,” a witness to the chilling encounter announced.
Another audience member shared a similar experience: “A man next to me laughed at that part. It made my blood run cold, but I reassured myself he was just drunk. Hearing it’s actually become a laugh line — it’s so heartbreaking.”
The unsettling laughter signifies a deeply disturbing trend, observed both by former cast members and those involved in the current production.
“When we first performed it,” a seasoned Broadway star noted, “audiences gasped and recoiled. It was too offensive, too raw, too cruel. I’m hearing from friends in the Broadway production of ‘Cabaret’ that the line is once again getting an audible response. ”
“It’s just bringing tears to my eyes,” they added. “But of a different sort.”
The actor went on to analyze the modern reaction, saying, “In the late ’60s, the truth was too hard to hear. Today, it seems like the line is playing exactly as the Nazi-sympathizing Emcee would have intended.”
A Global Problem
This disturbing development on Broadway comes amidst a surge in antisemitism internationally. Reports revealed a significant increase in antisemitic attacks following the terrorist attacks against Israelis this past October.
The rise of such incidents raises concerns over the normalization of hateful ideologies. It serves as a stark reminder that the fight against prejudice remains an ongoing battle, requiring constant vigilance and societal introspection.
The resonance between the musical’s themes and contemporary events underscores the vital need for continued dialogue and education around issues of intolerance and discrimination.
How has the societal context surrounding “Cabaret” contributed to the varying audience reactions to its themes, particularly the antisemitic lines?
## Interview with Dr. Sarah Cohen on Antisemitism in “Cabaret”
**Host**: Joining us today is Dr. Sarah Cohen, a professor of theater history and antisemitism at NYU. Dr. Cohen, thank you for being here.
**Dr. Cohen**: Thank you for having me.
**Host**: We’re talking about a disturbing trend emerging in Broadway’s “Cabaret” revival, where audiences have reportedly been laughing during antisemitic lines. Can you shed some light on this?
**Dr. Cohen**: This is incredibly alarming, but unfortunately not entirely surprising. “Cabaret” has always been a mirror reflecting the society it exists in. The line “If you could see her through my eyes, she wouldn’t look Jewish at all” is meant to expose the absurdity and cruelty of prejudice. The fact that it’s now provoking laughter instead of the intended horror speaks volumes about the normalization of antisemitic tropes in our current climate.
**Host**: Do you think this is a reflection of a broader rise in antisemitism?
**Dr. Cohen**: I believe it is. We’ve seen a disturbing increase in antisemitic incidents and rhetoric in recent years. This disturbing trend extends beyond theater and into everyday life, online and offline.
**Host**: Adam Lambert, who plays the Emcee, has reportedly had to confront audience members directly over this issue. What message does this send about the responsibility of both performers and audiences?
**Dr. Cohen**: It underscores the critical role artists play in calling out injustice, even when it’s uncomfortable. Lambert’s actions demonstrate immense courage. It also highlights a crucial responsibility for audiences: to confront their own biases and engage with challenging material thoughtfully. Laughter in this context isn’t harmless; it minimizes the very real harm of antisemitism.
**Host**: What can be done to address this issue?
**Dr. Cohen**: Education is key. We need to continue fostering critical thinking skills and promote understanding of Jewish history and culture.
**Host**: Dr. Cohen, thank you for this insightful conversation.
**Dr. Cohen**: Thank you for having me.
**Note**: This interview does not directly reference the mentioned web search result, which focuses on historical antisemitism in cabaret, not its modern-day reception. However, the search result offers valuable historical context that further emphasizes the disturbing nature of the current trend.[[1](https://keydocuments.net/article/gruettner-ruhlands-eck)]