Forbidden Broadway: Behind the Mylar Curtain (86 page)

These Yiddish songs were taught to me by my mother
in the Mamaloshen-that means "native tongue." They
are simple, sweet songs from a culture rich in tradition.
And I've brought them here tonight to pummel them
to death.

(The tempo nearly doubles.]

"Cabaret Meets The Sound of Music"

EMCEE

And now, in keeping with Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's
new 60/40 family entertainment law, the Kit Kat Klub
is forced to present that international sensation direct
from the Salzburg Music Festival on their way to
America:'The Von Trapp Family Singers!

MARIA and CHILDREN

DO-RE-MI-FA-SOL-LA-TI-DO!

[The EMCEE pops out again. He is dressed in lederhosen
like the children, except he is not wearing a shirt.
MARIA and the CHILDREN recoil in fear with an
audible gasp.]

EMCEE

Look! It's me!

MARIA

Come along, children, get in line-next to the freak.

[The EMCEE hides behind MARIA in the proper
formation but sticks his head out once in a while,
mischievously.]

MARIA and CHILDREN