YOUNGSTOWN — The musical “Cabaret” takes place 90 years ago. That doesn’t mean it’s dated.

“I think that ‘Cabaret’ is such a cautionary tale of what happens when people are distracted for a variety of reasons, whether they want to escape the hardships of life or economic hardships,” said Matthew Mazuroski, who will direct the musical for a two-weekend run at Youngstown State University starting Friday. “We are living in perilous times. It’s easy to scapegoat people, easy to sloganeer and have easy solutions to complex problems.”

It is set in Germany a decade after World War I just before the rise of Nazisim and the Third Reich, and the story takes place in a Berlin nightclub, where guests are encouraged to escape the troubles outside its doors.

The musical, with songs by John Kander and Fred Ebb and a book by Joe Mastoff, has been acclaimed in multiple incarnations. The original Broadway production ran for nearly three years and won eight Tony Awards, including best new musical. The 1972 film version won eight Academy Awards, including best director for Bob Fosse and was prominently featured in the FX series “Fosse/Verdon” that aired earlier this year.

Mazuroski said he and choreographer Amy A. Wright intentionally avoided mimicking Fosse’s signature dance style.

“Amy Wright came up with some things that bring the movement to life,” he said. “It’s not an homage to Fosse. It’s not trying to copy anybody. It’s trying to make it our own.”

The production is inspired more by the 1998 revival, which ran for almost six years and earned four Tony Awards, including best musical revival.

“That version was more forthright,” Mazuroski said. “In ’66 they skirted around Cliff’s sexuality. This one hits it on the head a little more. Both versions can be rather daring, but this one is a little grittier even still. It’s a good challenge for the actors … After a family friendly season last year, we wanted to turn the page and do something with more depth to it. It’s still entertaining, but it makes a statement.”

The YSU production takes the idea of gender and sexual fluidity even further, having the role of the Emcee, traditionally played by a man, played by a woman, Rosie Bresson.

Mazuroski said it wasn’t something he planned to do from the beginning but, “It’s something I want to be open to. When we went through the process of auditions that’s where we landed. We have a lot of great talent, and it came down to who we felt could flesh out the character, flesh out the idea of gender identity. What is masculine? What is feminine? Having Rosie’s energy in that role, swinging back and forth, really works.”

The rest of the cast includes AnnMarie Lowerre, Nate Montgomery, Nathan Wagner, Ace Lowry, Ben Mowrer, Hannah Rosser, Anna Anders, Ciara Rosario, Lexi Denney, Kamryn Rudolph, Madi Pomeroy, Taryn Patterson, Michael Miller, Daniel Navabi, Mitchell Sharp, Adam Dominick, Savannah Bell, Lexi Cerny, Samantha Gurd and Destinee Thompson.

The performers will be accompanied by the Musical Theatre Ensemble, conducted by Kent Engelhardt and featuring David Rajski, Santino Almasy, Darren Thompson, David Klasovsky, Jeffrey Williams, Joseph McKinney, Sean Williams, Owen Davis and Noah Landry.

The production team includes Maria Fenty, music director; Todd Dicken, scenic designer; Ryan Fitzpatrick, technical director and production manager; Katherine N. Garlick, costume, wig and makeup desgner; Wendy Akers, property designer; and James Oakry, lighting designer.

The look of the production is inspired by the German Expressionist art that was popular at the time.

“It’s reflected in the color scheme of the set design,” Mazuroski said. “You’re pulled into that idea that there are troubles outside but in here life is beautiful. What we’re leaning into is that’s not true. It’s a facade of escapism, but underneath you can see the people inhabiting the club are somewhat broken. You can peel away the outer layer and find a lot of trouble underneath.”

agray@tribtoday.com

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WHAT: “Cabaret”

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday through Nov. 24

WHERE: Ford Theater, Youngstown State University

HOW MUCH: $16 adults, $8 for non-YSU students, YSU faculty and staff, YSU alumni, senior citizens and Penguin Club members and free for YSU students. Tickets are available online at www.ysu.tix.com and by calling 330-941-3105.