Fabulett 1933.
Berlin, February 1933, the new German leadership orders the closure of all cabarets. But Felix, the emcee of the depraved Fabulett, still has a story to tell. He has felt different all his life – as a son, as a soldier and as a lover – and now has to abandon the only place where he has ever felt like he belongs.
Set at the transition from one of the most liberal societies with the world’s first gay rights movement, where the first queer anthem was composed and one of the first gay themed movies was made, to one of the biggest tragedies in human history, Fabulett 1933 deals with the fragility of achievements of society and the struggle of visibility. The one-person musical created and performed by Michael Trauffer, features music, ideas and lives classified as ‘degenerate’ by the Nazis, as well as original songs.
The story, with book by Michael Trauffer, is set around true historical events. It features English versions of music by composers from the period such as Mischa Spoliansky and Friedrich Hollaender, as well as original songs written by Michael Trauffer, with arrangements by Michael Trauffer and Sarah Morrison.
Musical numbers:
Overture
(music: M. Trauffer)
Where Are The Kings And The Queens?
(music and lyrics: M. Trauffer)
Your Cabaret Needs You
(music and lyrics: M. Trauffer)
Invisible
(music and lyrics: M. Trauffer)
Maskulinum-Femininum
(music: M. Spoliansky; orig. lyrics: M. Schiffer; engl. lyrics: J. Lawrence)
Visible
(music and lyrics: M. Trauffer)
The Lavender Song (Das Lila Lied)
(music: M. Spoliansky; orig. lyrics: K. Schwabach; engl. lyrics: J. Lawrence)
The Lavender Song - Reprise
(music: M. Spoliansky; lyrics: M. Trauffer, courtesy of Mischa Spoliansky Trust)
Everybody Needs A Little Love (Leben Ohne Liebe Kannst Du Nicht)
(music: M. Spoliansky; orig. lyrics: R. Gilbert; engl. lyrics: M. Trauffer, courtesy of Mischa Spoliansky Trust)
Visible - Reprises 1 & 2
(music and lyrics: M. Trauffer)
Oh, He's Hating That I Love Him (Ach, Er Hasst, Dass Ich Ihn Liebe)
(music: M. Spoliansky; orig. lyrics: F. Joachimson; engl. lyrics: M. Trauffer, courtesy of Mischa Spoliansky Trust)
Ruthless (In Your Chase)
(music and lyrics: M. Trauffer)
Your Cabaret Needs You - Reprise
(music and lyrics: M. Trauffer)
Münchhausen
(music and orig. lyrics: F. Holländer; engl. lyrics: J. Lawrence)
Finale
(music: M. Trauffer)
All arrangements by Michael Trauffer and Sarah Morrison
English translations by Michael Trauffer courtesy of Mischa Spoliansky Trust
CREDITS:
Created and performed by Michael Trauffer
Book, original music and lyrics: Michael Trauffer
Additional music and creation: Sarah Morrison
Credits of songs from the period according to separate song list
Additional Direction: Lloyd Russel, Sarah Morrison
Musical Direction Edinburgh Fringe: James Hall
Voice-over: Richard Simon Fridrich, Anja Dorrer, Thomas Ney, Kristin Perndl
Artwork photo: Georgina Bolton King
Artwork design: Elisabeth Heissler