The “Cabaret” revival on Broadway will close about one month earlier than anticipated because star Billy Porter has been diagnosed with sepsis, producers announced Sunday.
Porter, 55, played the Emcee in the revival of “Cabaret,” which opened in April 2024 at the August Wilson Theatre. He started in the role in late July.
The show will now close on Sunday, Sept. 21, about one month before its previously scheduled closing date of Oct. 19.
“It is with a heavy heart that we have made the painful decision to end our Broadway run on September 21,” producer Adam Speers told Playbill in a statement. “Billy was an extraordinary Emcee, bringing his signature passion and remarkable talent.”
Understudies Marty Lauter and David Merino will take over the Emcee role for the final shows, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The exact schedule of their performances has not yet been released.
In addition to Porter’s sepsis diagnosis, “Cabaret” has been losing money due to declining ticket sales in recent weeks, Deadline reported. The immersive production, which transformed the August WIlson Theatre into the Kit Kat Club for the show, is not expected to break even on its $23 million cost.
“Cabaret” was first staged in 1966 in Boston. The current Broadway version follows a revival in London’s West End, which launched in 2021 and is still running. Porter played the Emcee in London before taking on the role on Broadway.
