Adam Lambert, Auli’i Cravalho, and Calvin Leon Smith Join Broadway’s Cabaret

The acclaimed immersive revival of the Kander and Ebb musical ‘Cabaret’ continues its celebrated run at the Kit Kat Club, newly reimagined within the August Wilson Theatre. Beginning September 16, the production welcomes new stars Adam Lambert, Auli’i Cravalho, and Calvin Leon Smith, who take over as the Emcee, Sally Bowles, and Clifford Bradshaw, respectively. They succeed Eddie Redmayne, Gayle Rankin, and Ato Blankson-Wood, who concluded their performances on September 14.

Joining them on stage are Broadway veterans Bebe Neuwirth as Fraulein Schneider, Steven Skybell as Herr Schultz, Henry Gottfried as Ernst Ludwig, and Natascia Diaz in dual roles as Fraulein Kost and Fritzie. Directed by Rebecca Frecknall, this production of ‘Cabaret’ transports audiences to the seedy, seductive nightlife of Weimar-era Berlin, where American writer Clifford Bradshaw navigates a world on the brink of upheaval, as the rise of the Nazis looms ominously in the background. The story, based on Christopher Isherwood’s ‘Goodbye to Berlin’ and John Van Druten’s ‘I Am a Camera,’ captures the last gasps of a vibrant, carefree world before its descent into darkness.

The immersive experience begins well before the curtain rises, as ticket holders are assigned a ‘club entry time’ to absorb the full ambiance of the in-the-round Kit Kat Club setting. For some ticket tiers, the evening includes a full dinner, enhancing the sense of being transported to the decadent nightlife of Berlin. The prologue company, consisting of 12 dancers and musicians, welcomes theatregoers with a pre-show performance that begins approximately 75 minutes before the main performance, setting the mood with a tantalizing mix of music and dance.

The creative team behind this revival brings a fresh vision to the beloved musical, with choreography by Julia Cheng, club, set, and costume design by Tom Scutt, and lighting design by Isabella Byrd. Sound design is by Nick Lidster for Autograph, and the music supervision and direction are led by Jennifer Whyte. Sam Cox oversees hair and wig design, while Guy Common is responsible for makeup. The prologue composition and music direction are crafted by Angus MacRae, with Jordan Fein directing the prologue. Casting is handled by Bernard Telsey and Kristian Charbonier, and Thomas Recktenwald serves as the production stage manager.

As the Kit Kat Club swings open its doors to Lambert, Cravalho, and Smith, Broadway audiences can expect a captivating blend of charisma, talent, and a darkly enticing atmosphere that ‘Cabaret’ is renowned for. Tickets are available now for this must-see revival, which continues to thrill and unsettle with its timely portrayal of art, identity, and survival in uncertain times.

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