Lead: The Broadway revival of Cabaret at the August Wilson Theater will end its New York run on Sept. 21 after lead actor Billy Porter was sidelined by a serious case of sepsis, prompting producers to accelerate the closing date amid already weak box office receipts.
Key Takeaways
- Billy Porter has been out of the show with sepsis and will not return immediately.
- The New York production will close on Sept. 21, earlier than the previously scheduled Oct. 19 date.
- The revival opened in spring 2024 at the August Wilson Theater with a club-style staging.
- Eddie Redmayne originated the Broadway Emcee and the production initially drew strong grosses.
- Weekly grosses peaked at $2 million in May 2024; for the week ending Aug. 31 they were $505,142.
- Marisha Wallace was performing as Sally Bowles when Porter joined the cast in July.
- The same staging remains successful in London, where it swept the 2022 Olivier Awards.
- The producers said Porter’s doctors expect a full recovery but recommended rest.
Verified Facts
The producers announced on Sept. 7, 2025, that the Broadway revival will end its New York engagement on Sept. 21. Porter had taken on the role of the Emcee on July 22; he has been absent recently after developing a serious case of sepsis. Producers noted medical advice that he should refrain from performing while he recovers.
The transfer to New York opened in spring 2024 at the August Wilson Theater in a converted, club-like configuration with surrounding seating and lobby preshow activity. The staging, directed by Rebecca Frecknall, received mixed reviews in New York and differing responses between the London and New York productions.
Financially, the show had a strong early run, peaking at about $2 million in weekly grosses in May 2024, but revenues fell sharply after cast changes. For the week ending Aug. 31, 2025, reported grosses were $505,142. The producers said the production will close at a loss.
The cast has included high-profile leads: Eddie Redmayne originated the Emcee on Broadway and Billy Porter and Marisha Wallace led the company beginning in July. In London, the same revival won multiple Olivier Awards in 2022 and has continued to play successfully.
Context & Impact
The accelerated closing reflects both the immediate impact of Porter’s illness and longer-term commercial pressures. Large-scale Broadway transfers carry high capitalization and running costs; when box office falls short, producers may opt to shorten runs to limit losses.
The show’s mixed critical reception in New York also contributed to its fragile commercial position. While the London production garnered awards and sustained demand, that momentum did not fully translate to the August Wilson Theater’s run.
Practical effects include layoffs for stage and front-of-house staff tied to the production’s shortened schedule and reduced future income for the creative team. The early closure also removes a Broadway option for audiences who had planned to see Porter in the role this fall.
Official Statements
“He is recovering from a serious case of sepsis,” the producers said, adding that Porter’s doctors are confident he will make a full recovery but have advised rest over the next couple of weeks.
Producers
Explainer
Unconfirmed
- Exact total financial loss for the New York run has not been disclosed by producers.
- No public timeline has been provided for any potential future return of this staging to New York with the same cast.
Bottom Line
The combination of Billy Porter’s illness and persistently low grosses pushed the producers to move the closing date up to Sept. 21. While Porter’s medical prognosis is reported as positive, the New York production will end early, even as the staging continues to find success in London.