Willkommen to Broadway: Adam Lambert and Auli’i Cravalho Join Cabaret
Broadway is saying willkommen, bienvenue to Adam Lambert and Auli’i Cravalho, who are both joining the Broadway revival of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club. Stepping into the iconic roles of the Emcee and Sally Bowles, respectively, Lambert and Cravalho will begin their limited engagement on September 16, marking their Broadway debuts. This exciting news also means they will take over from Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin, whose final performances are set for September 14.
Adam Lambert, known for his powerful vocal performances and dynamic stage presence, has been a trailblazer in the music industry, captivating audiences since his rise to fame on American Idol. Auli’i Cravalho, the voice behind Disney’s Moana, has also wowed us with her stunning vocal talent and compelling performances. Their addition to Cabaret promises a thrilling new dynamic to the beloved musical.
Currently on Broadway as a transfer from its Olivier-winning West End engagement, the revival of John Kander and Fred Ebb’s Cabaret opened on April 21, directed by Rebecca Frecknall. Despite receiving mixed reviews, the production garnered nine 2024 Tony Award nominations, including Best Revival of a Musical, and won for Tom Scutt’s set design.
The current cast also features Bebe Neuwirth as Fraulein Schneider, Ato Blankson-Wood as Clifford Bradshaw, Steven Skybell as Herr Schultz, Henry Gottfried as Ernst Ludwig, and Natascia Diaz as Fraulein Kost and Fritzie. The company includes Marty Lauter (AKA Marcia Marcia Marcia of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 15) as Victor, Gabi Campo as Frenchie, Ayla Ciccone-Burton as Helga, Colin Cunliffe as Hans, Loren Lester as Herman/Max, David Merino as Lulu, Julian Ramos as Bobby, MiMi Scardulla as Texas, and Paige Smallwood as Rosie. Swings include Hannah Florence, Pedro Garza, Christian Kidd, Chloé Nadon-Enriquez, Corinne Munsch, and Karl Skyler Urban.
Set against the backdrop of the Nazi party’s rise to power, Cabaret tells the story of a decadent nightclub in Weimar Berlin. Lambert will take on the role of the sinister Emcee, whose provocative antics reflect the turbulent era, while Cravalho will portray Sally Bowles, a British singer with dreams of stardom. Cabaret is celebrated as one of the greatest musicals ever produced, inspiring numerous revivals and an Oscar-winning film. This latest production unfolds in the round and includes a 90-minute pre-show featuring live performances in various spaces, where early guests can sip cocktails and immerse themselves in the era’s vibrant nightlife.
We’re thrilled to see LGBTQ+ icons like Adam Lambert and Auli’i Cravalho stepping into these legendary roles. One of the main critiques when this production transferred to Broadway was the vocal performances of Redmayne and Rankin, which didn’t quite meet expectations for the famed songs. However, it seems the production is getting ready to leave those critiques behind with the addition of two powerhouse vocalists, promising a fresh and electrifying take on the musical’s classic numbers.
We wish Lambert and Cravalho the best of luck in this new adventure and can’t wait to see them shine in Cabaret.
Tickets for Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club are available here. Follow us on X and Instagram for all queer stuff!
Featured Image: Picture by Gina Manning. Credit: AP
