Billy Porter, the 55-year-old actor known for his role in 'Pose', is recovering from a serious case of sepsis, which has led to the early closure of the Broadway revival of 'Cabaret'. Producers announced on Sunday that Porter's doctors are confident he will make a full recovery but have advised him to rest for the next couple of weeks.
Porter had been playing the Emcee in the production since July, alongside Marisha Wallace as Sally Bowles. The same production continues in London's West End, where it won multiple Olivier Awards in 2022 with Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley in the lead roles. Porter and Wallace had also performed in the West End production.
Despite critical acclaim, ticket sales for the Broadway run had declined. According to the New York Times, weekly grosses peaked at $2 million in May 2024 but dropped to $505,142 by the end of August 2025. The show will now close on 21 September, a month earlier than planned, at a loss.
Producer Adam Speers described the decision as 'painful', praising Porter as an 'extraordinary Emcee' and wishing him a speedy recovery. For the final performances, the role of Emcee will be shared by alternates Marty Lauter and David Merino.
