SALLY BOWLES
Quirky, flighty; has “star quality; struggles with knowing the dark side of life; vivacious; talented singer and dancer; bit of a lost soul; lives in the moment; still willing to take chances—risks; can be ruthless, searching for a rich man to take care of her, child-like vulnerability, sexual, charismatic, survivor.
Played by: Demi Lovato
Justification:
Demi has been a performer most of her life (Disney actress) seen a lot, she’s sexy (with a bisexual vibe), tough yet has the fragility and vulnerability Sally also has; there is also a tragic yet hopeful air about her–“maybe this time I’ll win” sings Sally in Cabaret. She is an open book: she wears the war with her body, her mental health issues and drug abuse on her sleeve. Demi gives us the sense she has noting to lose and so is willing to gamble it all. And like Sally, she wants to win at all costs. She is a survivor; she’ll do whatever to get through it all. Perhaps most importantly Demi has the vocal range and abilities for the role.
EMCEE
Iconic Master of Ceremonies at the Kit Kat Club; gender bending; sexy; appealing to men and woman; comedic; witty; strange; omniscient; charismatic; strange; flamboyant; politically astute; loveable; generous; ironic with dark undertones; sings and dances; co-star lead.
Played by: David Bowie
Justification:
Has the gender neutral, strange-other-worldliness of the Emcee; androgynous; unique; flamboyant; the original “Space Oddity”, “Ziggy Stardust”, Bowie has that unique quality that transcends time and space; a generous spirit and openness and embraces the audience and builds a rapport with them; is attractive to men and women; has an air of vulnerability about him; very intelligent with a dark ironic edge; can also be silly with a child-like innocence; great singer and performer.
CLIFFORD BRADSHAW
Romantic lead, baritone; Cliff is a young, struggling American novelist (in the film Cliff was British and Sally was American) from the mid-west. He is on an European adventure, looking for something to spark his writing; he’s an intellectual; bisexual; somewhat depressed; poor; disorganized; lives in the moment; easily falls into romantic ideas – he doesn’t want to wake up and face reality as seen in his dream-like fantasy romance with Sally; wants to do the right things but somehow can’t quite make it; bit of an narcissist; never really succeeds at anything; willing to exploit his experiences in Berlin; runs away from conflict and problems.
Played By: Robert Pattinson
Justification:
He has an unfocused, dreamer quality; good-looking and obviously came from a good up-bringing and can play a romantic lead, but he is rather louche and seedy, with questionable morality by the time we meet him in Cabaret; obviously could be an object of desire to both men and women—he has an epicene quality; troubled romantic; sensitive and intelligent; poetic nature; can display weakness, and a tendency to be undecided—a ditherer; can be cowed by a strong woman; flashes of a troubled nature underneath a pleasant exterior; just goes along to get along; Pattison is also a musician and great actor.
Synopsis | Vision Statement | Casting | Costume Design | Set/Scenic Design