Was Rob Marshall Inspired by Cabaret

[Leilani L]

As I was watching Cabaret this week, I began to notice how the numbers in the Kit Kat Klub went along with what happening with the story. I remembered the movie version of Chicago and many people praised the way Rob Marshall had the musical numbers as stage performances in Roxie's head. I began thinking he must have been influenced by Bob Fosse's direction in Cabaret since most of the musical numbers are done as Kit Kat Klub performances. 

[Suzy-Q]

Or you might call Chicago a poor imitation.

[Jim K]

To some extent, the similarities were built in.  Cabaret and Chicago were Kander and Ebb musicals on Broadway.  In Cabaret, they told their stories using the constructs of a night club.  In Chicago, they used the conventions of vaudeville.  Add to that that Bob Fosse directed Chicago on Broadway, and much of his choreography was retained for the film.