Broadway’s ‘Cabaret’ to Close Early as Billy Porter Exits Due to Health Issues

Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club is closing its doors earlier than planned following Billy Porter’s sudden departure from the production due to health concerns.

On Sunday (Sept. 7), producers of the Broadway revival announced that the 55-year-old Tony Award-winning actor and musician, who stars as the Emcee, is recovering from a “serious case” of sepsis, according to People. While Porter is expected to make a full recovery, doctors have advised him to rest.

“Billy was an extraordinary Emcee, bringing his signature passion and remarkable talent,” wrote producer Adam Speers of ATG Productions. “We wish Billy a speedy recovery and I look forward to working with him again in the very near future.”

As a result, the acclaimed revival of the John Kander and Fred Ebb musical — which began its Broadway run in April 2024 with Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin — will now conclude its engagement at New York City’s August Wilson Theatre on Sept. 21, nearly a month earlier than its originally scheduled closing date of Oct. 19.

Porter and actress-singer Marisha Wallace, who stars as Sally Bowles, joined the production on July 22 after a run in London’s West End.

In the Broadway show’s final weeks, the role of the Emcee will be performed in rotation by longtime alternates Marty Lauter and David Merino, with the performance schedule to be shared on Cabaret’s official social media channels.

Originally debuting on Broadway in 1966 and later adapted into the iconic 1972 film, Cabaret follows a group of characters navigating the final days of Weimar Germany, embracing the hedonistic, impoverished lifestyles of Berlin while ignoring the Nazi party’s rise to power.

Porter’s departure comes amid declining box office performance for the high-cost production. Grosses have dipped to around $500,000, with audience capacity falling below 70% in recent weeks, according to The Hollywood Reporter.