Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted (edited)

The costly $23M+  2024 revival "Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club" which has struggled at the box office for months, has announced a closing for October 19. It's most likely investors will recoup very little - if any - of their investment. Actor Billy Porter will take over the role of 'the Emcee' on July 22 from South African country singer Orville Peck, and close the show in October. ( Marisha Wallace will take over the role of 'Sally' at the same time, replacing current star Eva Noblezara).

The musical-revival  transferred from the West End with original stars Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin, becoming the hottest Broadway ticket through the Spring and Summer 2024 tourist season. The August Wilson theater went through a costly renovation to present the show 'in the round' like its West End production.  It received mixed-reviews by critics, but was the most-nominated musical for the Tony Awards in 2024 (winning one, for Best Scenic Design - Musical). However, once Redmayne left and Adam Lambert took over as 'The Emcee' on September 16, 2024, the box office started to fall. Lambert, a former 'American Idol' contestant making his Broadway debut, stayed with the show through March 30, 2025 and was then replaced by Peck. The box office has continued to fall, hovering around 75% - 80%  for months. For the week ending June 15, 2025 the show brought in around $762,000 at the box office, far less than the $1M+ weekly box office it needs to cover its costs. 

Meanwhile, the West End production (which set a record for most Olivier wins for a musical revival) is currently in its fourth year, with no signs of slowing down at the box office. 

Edited by Ali Gator
Posted

Wallace is the real story here, as she's superb and has been a star on the West End for the better part of 15 years now.

Porter has burned too many bridges for me to be excited by this.  I saw him do this in London and his voice was shot.

Posted
8 hours ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

Wallace is the real story here, as she's superb and has been a star on the West End for the better part of 15 years now.

Porter has burned too many bridges for me to be excited by this.  I saw him do this in London and his voice was shot.

Yes, but they're obviously counting on Porter's name recognition to sell tickets. They've been 'star casting' the emcee since it opened. 

Posted
18 minutes ago, Ali Gator said:

Yes, but they're obviously counting on Porter's name recognition to sell tickets. They've been 'star casting' the emcee since it opened. 

I was really impressed with Lambert—thought he was fantastic. Redmayne didn’t quite land for me. As for Billy Porter, I’m not sure how he’s going to approach the role. Honestly, it feels a bit like stunt casting. Not a good one too.

Posted
3 hours ago, Ali Gator said:

Yes, but they're obviously counting on Porter's name recognition to sell tickets. They've been 'star casting' the emcee since it opened. 

You're right.  

But mark my words:  They'll come for Porter, but be blown away by Marisha.

She's the star turn here.

Posted

I don't know how a revival like 'Chicago' can play for 30 years (and counting) depending on 'stunt casting', but a revival of Cabaret can't.  I'm surprised their stunt casting of The Emcee (and Sally in the past) hasn't paid off the way 'Chicago' did.  I know the storyline of 'Cabaret' is much darker and depressing, but the music is still great and the audience seems to enjoy it. 

Posted
6 hours ago, Ali Gator said:

I know the storyline of 'Cabaret' is much darker and depressing

That's the reason. Who wants to pay top dollar these days for "dark and depressing?" And then there is the subject matter.

I'm glad to hear they cast an actress who can sing the score. Most Sallys I've seen could not do the score justice. I like Eddie Redmayne's work, but I had to pass on this revival.

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted
On 6/20/2025 at 11:41 AM, d.anders said:

That's the reason. Who wants to pay top dollar these days for "dark and depressing?" And then there is the subject matter.

From the Producers: 

The theatre's so obsessed

With dramas so depressed

It's hard to sell a ticket on Broadway

Shows should be more pretty

Shows should be more witty

Shows should be more...

What's the word?

Gay?

Exactly!

 

BuqKI7.gif

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...