In a dark and thrilling cabaret in New York during the 1930s, the lives of artists and dreamers intertwine with the harshest reality. The story centers around Marlene, a talented yet desperate singer who struggles to find her way in a world that consumes her. With each musical number, she seeks to vent her inner demons while empathizing with other characters in the cabaret, from the ambitious chorus girl to the charismatic yet troubled owner of the place.