More of the same

California Musical Theatre announced the next year’s lineup for the Cosmopolitan Cabaret; instead of the shake-up I’d hoped for, it’s more of the same. I believe that unless CMT takes a decidedly different tack with programming, a wonderful venue will fail to live up to its potential. Cabarets are supposed to be kinda edgy, very urban and urbane, downtown hip. Think Paris, not Peoria. The Cosmopolitan Cabaret, right smack-dab in the middle of downtown, is exactly the spot to give it a try. But CMT seems determined to program shows that appeal to the same middle-aged, middle-brow audience that frequents Music Circus and Broadway Sacramento (I’m both middle-aged and middle-brow, so those descriptors aren’t necessarily a slam). CMT still seems to be missing the concept that a good cabaret gets the same customers in the seats week after week with a mix of music, comedy and theatrical magic aimed at an adult audience. Sorry, guys, but Suds just ain’t gonna do it.