I had been meaning to volunteer usher for the first month and a half I was there, and I finally got around to it my last week in New York. By that time I had missed seeing Alan Cumming again, and indeed, almost the entire lead cast was different from the previous time I'd seen it. But I now wanted to see Susan Egan, and I just wanted to see the show again, so I still decided to do it.

Just a side note - ushering is really fun! I always knew I'd like it. Now if only the people at the NAC would give me a job... :-)

I could tell right away that Michael Hall was no Alan. That wouldn't have bothered me, except it seemed he was trying awfully hard to be just like Alan. I would have liked to see him try to put his own spin on the role a bit more, but perhaps that will come once he's had a bit more time in the show.

Susan Egan, on the other hand, was very different from the other Sally I'd seen. Susan has a wonderful voice, as I knew before, and her version of "Cabaret" blew me away. My only problem with her acting was that her Sally was a little hyperactive - but that's just me being picky. Overall she was really great.

Another reason I had wanted to see the show was to see Boyd Gaines as Cliff. There, I was a little disappointed. I can't quite put my finger on it, but his performance just lacked something, and Cliff is such an important role - it really holds the whole show together. There was just something missing - maybe the exuberance and optimism upon his arrival - that just changed the tone of the entire show.

Just a quick note about some of the other performers - Ron Rifkin and Blair Brown were missed, though the new couple were sweet as well. And I would have a tough time choosing between Michele Pawk and Victoria Clark, they're both so wonderful!

I was sitting up in the mezz this time, so I got to see the orchestra and all the action that takes place on the second level much better. I actually think I probably preferred that to sitting in the orchestra.

All in all, it was an enjoyable evening, if not quite to the same extent it had been four months earlier. And it's still selling out!

Victoria Clark was a sweetie at the stage door, as always, and Susan Egan was very friendly as well. We also talked with Boyd Gaines and Michael Hall briefly (we were the only ones who waited!)