The Broadway production of the Rebecca Frecknall-directed “Cabaret” revival has announced the performance schedule for Marty Lauter and David Merino’s tenures in the role of the Emcee. As previously announced, Billy Porter, who stepped into the role on July 22, has withdrawn from the revival due to illness. Lauter and Merino will alternate in the role until “Cabaret” takes its final bow on Sept. 21 at the August Wilson Theatre.
Merino will appear as the Emcee at performances from Sept. 9 to 11, and Sept. 19 to 21.
Lauter will perform as the Emcee at performances from Sept. 12 to 18.
Both Lauter and Merino have served as understudies to the role of the Emcee since the production opened. The duo temporarily served as alternates for the role during Eddie Redmayne’s Tony Award-nominated tenure in the role; both performed the role at select performances in the summer of 2024.
Lauter, who usually plays the role of Victor, is known for their appearance as “Marcia Marcia Marcia” on Season 15 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and appeared in the ensemble and understudied the role of Ambrose Kemper in a national tour of “Hello, Dolly!”
Merino, who usually plays the role of Lulu, made their Broadway debut as Baby Doll in “Moulin Rouge!”
Lauter and Merino will appear alongside a principal company that includes Marisha Wallace as Sally Bowles, Calvin Leon Smith as Clifford Bradshaw, Steven Skybell in a Tony Award-nominated turn as Herr Schultz, Ellen Harvey as Fraulein Schneider, Henry Gottfried as Ernst Ludwig and Michelle Aravena as Fritzie/Kost. Casting is by Bernard Telsey and Kristian Charbonier.
“Cabaret” features a Tony-winning score by John Kander and Fred Ebb and a book by Joe Masteroff based on both John Van Druten’s play “I Am a Camera” and stories by Christopher Isherwood. The Germany-set musical follows the relationship between American writer Clifford Bradshaw and Sally Bowles, a singer at the hedonistic Kit Kat Club, as they face the impending rise of the Third Reich.
Following previews that began on April 1, 2024, “Cabaret” opened on April 21. The production received nine Tony nominations, including a nod for Best Revival of a Musical. Tom Scutt’s set design, which required an interior transformation of the August Wilson Theatre, was the production’s sole Tony win.
“Cabaret” is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Underbelly, Gavin Kalin Productions, Hunter Arnold, Smith & Brant Theatricals and Wessex Grove.
