The Broadway run of *Cabaret* is being cut short following the withdrawal of its star, Billy Porter, from the production. Porter, who captivates audiences in the role of the Emcee, is currently on the mend from a “serious case of sepsis,” according to a statement from the production team. Doctors have expressed confidence in his full recovery but have advised him to prioritize rest and recuperation.
As a result, the Broadway production will now conclude its engagement at the August Wilson Theater on September 21, rather than the previously announced date of October 19. Porter and Marisha Wallace, who portrays Sally Bowles, assumed their roles on July 22 after having previously graced the London West End stage in the same parts.
The news arrives amid a challenging period for the show, which has witnessed a decline in grosses over recent weeks. With attendance dipping to just under 70 percent capacity and weekly earnings hovering around $500,000—a figure that struggles to offset the production’s substantial running costs—the decision to close early has become unavoidable.
“It is with a heavy heart that we have made the painful decision to end our Broadway run on September 21,” said producer Adam Speers. “On behalf of all the producers, we are deeply honored to have brought this iteration of John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Joe Masteroff’s timeless masterpiece, *Cabaret*, to New York. We are proud to have opened the doors of our own Kit Kat Club for the past year and a half, creating a space where theatergoers could immerse themselves in this iconic world.”
Speers continued, “Billy was an extraordinary Emcee, infusing the role with his signature passion and unparalleled talent. We wish him a swift and complete recovery and eagerly anticipate collaborating with him again in the near future. In the meantime, I personally invite audiences to return to the Kit Kat Club one last time to experience the incandescent Marisha Wallace as ‘Sally Bowles,’ alongside the exceptionally gifted Marty Lauter and David Merino—two actors who have delivered soul-stirring performances as the Emcee since our debut last April.”
Lauter and Merino, the production’s alternates for the Emcee, will step into the spotlight, sharing the role during the final performances.
*Cabaret* at the Kit Kat Club first dazzled Broadway audiences in April 2024, with Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin initially leading the cast.
