Billy Porter Exits Cabaret on Broadway Early Due to Sepsis
Billy Porter is concluding his engagement in the Broadway revival of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club sooner than planned due to health issues.
“Owing to a severe bout of sepsis, Billy Porter is unfortunately compelled to step away from the production,” announced a statement posted on the show’s official social media channels on Sunday, September 7. “While his medical team expects a complete recuperation, they have recommended a period of rest and recuperation.”
Porter, aged 55, is set to finish his performances at the August Wilson Theatre in New York City on September 21 as he deals with sepsis — an ailment the Cleveland Clinic characterizes as a grave infection capable of leading to organ malfunction, cellular harm, or fatality. (Porter's original commitment to the show extended until October 21.)
The role of The Emcee will be taken over by Marty Lauter and David Merino, performing on an alternating basis for the remaining dates, with their specific schedules to be published on the production's social media platforms.
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"It is with deep regret that we have arrived at the difficult choice to conclude our Broadway engagement on September 21," stated producer Adam Speers in remarks to Entertainment Weekly. "Representing all the producers, we are immensely proud to have presented this iteration of John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Joe Masteroff's significant work, Cabaret, to New York audiences and to have welcomed patrons to our Kit Kat Club over the past eighteen months."
Speers added, "Billy embodied an exceptional Emcee, infusing the role with his characteristic fervor and impressive skill. We extend our best wishes to Billy for a swift recovery, and I anticipate collaborating with him once more in the immediate future."
Initial showings for Cabaret commenced in April 2024, originally featuring Eddie Redmayne as the Emcee and Gayle Rankin as Sally Bowles prior to the roles being passed on. Porter, himself, was a seasoned Broadway performer — and shared his thoughts on coming back to the stage in July.
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“My previous appearance on Broadway was approximately nine years ago, and I experience a sense of ease. It feels like I’m back where I belong,” Porter remarked during a Today show segment then. “This has always been the fundamental aspiration, and returning, I will consistently find my way back to the stage.”
Porter had previously portrayed the Emcee in the West End staging of the show and likened his reprisal of the role to “riding a bicycle.”
“My recall somewhat returned,” he commented. “The memory remains. It hadn't been erased from my internal archives, not yet.”
