Song:Wilkommen
Album:Cabaret: Original Broadway Cast
Most folks will be familiar with the 1972 film version of the musical Cabaret. But if you're interested in the music, you probably want to stick to the 1966 Original Broadway Cast album because Bob Fosse cut a lot of the songs from the original production. Of course Joel Grey won a Tony and an Oscar for portraying The Emcee in Cabaret. He's had a long career but is mainly known for his musical theater performances. He was born Joel Katz Apr. 11, 1932 in Cleveland the son of legendary Yiddish comedian Mickey Katz. He started performing as a child. He did small film and TV roles in the 50s but really came into his own on Broadway in the 60s. After success in Come Blow Your Horn, Stop The World, I Want To Get Off and Half A Sixpence, Cabaret was his first starring role. Cabaret is based on John Van Druten's play I Am A Camera which won a Tony for Julie Harris in 1951. She also starred in the 1955 film version. Producer David Black optioned the play and hired Joe Masteroff to write the book and the veteran songwriting team of John Kander and Fred Ebb to write the songs. Starring in the original 1966 production were Joel Grey, Jill Haworth, Bert Convy, Lotte Lenya and Jack Gilford. Harold Prince directed and Ron Field choreographed. The show ran for over three years. Of course Bob Fosse turned it into a very successful film in 1972 starring Grey and Liza Minnelli. The major change Fosse made to the show was getting rid of a lot of the songs performed outside the club. So that's why if you're interested in the music, get the original 1966 cast recording. Sony Masterworks released it on CD with bonus tracks in 1998. Of course Joel Grey is still going strong and will return to Broadway in 2011 in a revival of the musical Anything Goes. Here's Joel Grey performing Wilkommen on a Tony Awards broadcast probably late 60s.
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