The Kit Kat Club Bids Farewell: Broadway's Acclaimed 'Cabaret' Sets Closing Date, Marking Billy Porter's Final Bow

The lights of the Kit Kat Club are set to dim for the last time on Broadway. Producers of the critically lauded revival of John Kander and Fred Ebb’s masterpiece, “Cabaret,” have announced its final performance will be September 1, 2025, at the August Wilson Theatre. This poignant curtain call will follow a celebrated run that brought a fresh, immersive energy to one of musical theatre’s most enduring stories.

Adding to the bittersweet news, the production also confirmed the departure of its current charismatic Emcee, the Tony and Grammy Award-winning Billy Porter.

Porter, whose captivating portrayal has electrified audiences, will take his final bow on July 28, 2025. His tenure has been a significant highlight of the revival, bringing a unique blend of vulnerability and audacious showmanship to the iconic role.

Directed by Rebecca Frecknall, this revival initially captivated London audiences, sweeping seven Olivier Awards, including Best Musical Revival.

Its transfer to Broadway, presented by ATG Productions, Ambassador Theatre Group, Gavin Kalin Productions, and Hunter Arnold, continued its legacy of critical and commercial success. The production has been praised for its immersive experience, transforming the August Wilson Theatre into the gritty, decadent Kit Kat Club, inviting patrons into the heart of 1930s Berlin.

The current stellar cast includes Gayle Rankin as the enigmatic Sally Bowles, Steven Skybell as the kind-hearted Herr Schultz, Bebe Neuwirth as the pragmatic Fraulein Schneider, Gregg Edelman as the ominous Ernst Ludwig, and Clint Allen as Cliff Bradshaw.

While Rankin will continue through July 28, 2025, her role will then be taken over by Kirsten Scott. Billy Porter’s departure will undoubtedly leave big shoes to fill for the production’s final month, though details on his successor are yet to be announced.

Since its Broadway premiere on April 21, 2024, the production has garnered widespread acclaim for its bold staging and powerful performances.

The original London revival featured Eddie Redmayne as The Emcee, a role that saw him reprise his Olivier Award-winning performance for the Broadway transfer before Billy Porter assumed the mantle. As “Cabaret” heads into its final months, it promises to deliver the same raw emotion and unforgettable theatricality that have defined its successful run, ensuring that its powerful message resonates until the very last note.