The struggling Broadway revival of “Cabaret” is set to close in just two weeks, following the unexpected health issues of its current leading man, Billy Porter. The producers made the announcement on Sunday, revealing that Porter has been diagnosed with a serious case of sepsis, which has prevented him from participating in the production recently and will keep him from returning in the near future.
Porter, who has been playing the iconic role of the Emcee since July 22, is reportedly on the mend. The producers stated, “His doctors are confident that he will make a full recovery,” but they have advised him to maintain a restful schedule over the next couple of weeks. This unfortunate turn of events has ultimately contributed to the decision to close the show.
The revival of “Cabaret” opened to mixed reviews last year, with critics divided on its merits. Notably, Jesse Green of The New York Times described director Rebecca Frecknall’s staging as “misguided.” Initially, the show enjoyed a strong box office performance, particularly with Eddie Redmayne in the role of the Emcee, but after his departure, the production faced significant challenges.
Despite an early success that saw weekly grosses peak at $2 million in May 2024, the show's financial health rapidly declined after Porter and his co-star Marisha Wallace, who plays Sally Bowles, joined the cast in July. The weekly grosses have since dropped to unsustainably low levels, with the final reported earnings for the week ending August 31 amounting to just $505,142.
