Years after presenting himself to his audience as a mysterious country crooner veiled behind a mask, Orville Peck is finally unmasking. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Peck revealed his intentions to perform without his mask during his Broadway debut in "Cabaret" later this month. "The mask is an intrinsic part of my artistic expression and a deeply personal aspect of myself," Peck shared in an article published on Monday. "However, I am here to embody this role with respect, integrity, and, hopefully, a memorable performance. This isn't about me; I don't intend to turn it into the Orville Peck show."
Peck will portray the role of the Emcee in "Cabaret," a pivotal character who functions as the master of ceremonies at the fictional Kit Kat Club, weaving a cohesive (and occasionally chaotic) narrative for the audience. Previous Emcees have included notable names like Billy Porter, Eddie Redmayne, and Adam Lambert. The new iteration of the show is set to open on March 31st.
To fully immerse himself in the character, Peck told the Times that he would have to abandon his signature disguise—a move that fans have eagerly anticipated since his debut in 2019 with his album "Pony." "I wouldn't have necessarily made this decision lightly," Peck said of his choice. "But this is, without a doubt, my favorite musical of all time."
Even after the show begins, Peck's face may remain a mystery to many fans, as many Broadway productions prohibit audience members from taking photographs. Throughout his career, his disguises (a rotation of bespoke face coverings) have allowed him to display vulnerability on stage while keeping his true appearance concealed.
"The irony is that donning my mask actually strips away my anonymity," he confided to the Times. Peck is most recognizable as a pair of eyes peering out from behind a mask, frequently accompanied by a cowboy hat. Conversely, his bare face might be indistinguishable among a crowd.
"The peculiar part is that to become anonymous, all I have to do is remove my mask and blend in like anyone else, and no one knows who I am," he said. Following the release of his third studio album, "Stampede," which featured collaborations with esteemed artists such as Willie Nelson and Elton John, Peck's foray into theater offers a refreshing change of pace and an opportunity to delve into politics.
"Cabaret" chronicles the events unfolding at a Berlin nightclub during the Nazi party's ascent to power. "Regardless of your political leanings, I don't believe anyone can watch the show and not acknowledge its chilling similarity, if not an exact reflection, of what is happening today," Peck told the Times.
