Broadway star Billy Porter has stepped away from the musical Cabaret after being diagnosed with what producers described as “a serious case of sepsis.” Doctors say the 55-year-old actor is expected to make a full recovery, though they’ve advised him to rest.
Porter, who took on the role of the Emcee in July, is one of the most celebrated performers on stage and screen, with a Tony Award for Kinky Boots and an Emmy for his role in Pose. His sudden exit comes as the production itself prepares to wind down earlier than expected — with the final curtain now set for September 21. “Come hear the music play. Final performance September 21,” the show’s producers announced on social media.
In their statement, producers added: “Due to a serious case of sepsis, Billy Porter must also withdraw from the production. His doctors are confident he will make a full recovery but have advised him to maintain a restful schedule.”
This immersive revival of Cabaret, which reimagines the theatre as the Kit Kat Club in 1930s Berlin, first launched in London’s West End in 2021 with Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley. It was a critical smash in the UK, earning seven Olivier Awards, before transferring to Broadway in April 2024. Reception in New York, however, was more mixed — the New York Times described it as “a misguided attempt to resuscitate the show,” though admitted it was “buzzy.”
Since then, the role of the Emcee has rotated among several stars including Adam Lambert, Orville Peck, and Porter himself. Despite marquee casting, ticket sales have faltered since Redmayne’s departure. According to the Times, weekly box office peaked at $2 million in May 2024 but had fallen to just over $500,000 by the end of August 2025. Current ticket prices range from $55 to $450.
Until closing night, the Emcee will be played in rotation by Marty Lauter and David Merino at the August Wilson Theatre.
Sepsis, the illness behind Porter’s withdrawal, is a life-threatening reaction to infection in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues and organs. Early symptoms can resemble flu — including fever, chills, and breathlessness — but the condition can quickly escalate to organ failure if untreated.
