Tony- and Emmy-winning actor Billy Porter has been forced to step away from his role as the Emcee in Broadway’s Cabaret after being diagnosed with a serious case of sepsis, producers announced. The production will now end its run on 21 September, about a month earlier than planned.
Billy Porter, 55, who took over the Emcee role in July, pulled out of the August Wilson Theatre staging of the immersive Cabaret after doctors advised he step back to recover from sepsis. In a statement, the show’s producers said medical teams are “confident that he will make a full recovery” but have recommended a period of rest. Porter — a Tony winner for Kinky Boots and an Emmy winner for Pose — has been praised for his flamboyant stage presence and fashion, making the news of his illness a shock to fans and colleagues.
Producers also confirmed that Cabaret will now close on 21 September. The production, which turns the theatre into a 1930s Kit Kat Club, first wowed critics and audiences in London’s West End in 2021 with Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley leading the cast, earning seven Olivier Awards. It transferred to Broadway in April 2024 with Redmayne, but the New York reception proved more mixed: some critics called the staging “buzzy” but uneven, and ticket sales gradually softened after the original star left.
Since Redmayne’s departure, the Emcee role has rotated through a string of high-profile names — Adam Lambert, Orville Peck and then Porter among them. Despite the roster of star performers, the Broadway run struggled to sustain the early box-office highs. Weekly grosses peaked at roughly $2 million in May 2024, according to reports; by the last week of August 2025 the show was reportedly bringing in about $505,000. Ticket prices for remaining performances were listed between $55 and $450.
With Porter stepping away for medical reasons, the producers said Marty Lauter and David Merino will share the Emcee duties through the shortened run, up to the closing night. Fans who had planned to see Porter are likely to be disappointed, but organizers have framed the decision as necessary for his long-term health.
Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the body mounts an extreme response to infection, triggering widespread inflammation that can damage tissues and organs. Early symptoms can mimic severe flu — high fever, rapid breathing and extreme fatigue — and the condition requires prompt medical treatment. In severe cases sepsis can lead to organ failure, but with early intervention many patients recover.
Porter’s sudden withdrawal follows an intense summer of performances and public appearances. Known as much for his boundary-pushing red-carpet style as for his stage work, Porter has been an outspoken, visible figure in contemporary theatre. The announcement has drawn messages of concern and well-wishes from the Broadway community and fans worldwide.
Producers asked audiences and press to respect Porter’s privacy as he recovers. As Cabaret prepares to end its run earlier than planned, the theatre community will be watching closely for updates on Porter’s health — and no doubt remembering the bold, headline-grabbing performances he brought to the role.
