Gay country music star and mysterious masked singer Orville Peck is making his Broadway debut in the Tony-nominated revival of “Cabaret,” producers announced Wednesday.
Starting March 31, the “Bronco” artist will step into the role of Emcee, the sexually fluid host of Berlin’s Kit Kat Klub, alongside two-time Tony nominee Eva Noblezada as Sally Bowles.
The two will headline the critically acclaimed production of the groundbreaking musical at Broadway’s August Wilson Theatre for 16 weeks.
Based on the 1951 play “I Am a Camera” by John Van Druten — which was in turn adapted from Christopher Isherwood’s 1939 novel “Goodbye to Berlin” — “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club” depicts life in Berlin as the Nazis rise to power against a backdrop of the city’s hedonistic nightlife.
Peck, who’s taking over the iconic role from glam rocker Adam Lambert, said playing Emcee has been his “dream role” since he was a teenager.
“The nature of the character allows for complete freedom of individual expression,” he said Wednesday in a press release. “It can be portrayed through such a vast range of emotions, perspectives, and performance styles. That kind of freedom is every actor’s dream.”
The South African-born musician left his hometown of Johannesburg as a teenager before living throughout North America and the U.K. He trained as an actor at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and worked in the West End before relocating to the U.S. and pivoting to country music.
His career as a country singer picked up steam in 2019, shortly after the release of his self-produced debut album, “Pony.” He has since collaborated with an impressive list of A-listers, including Elton John, Willie Nelson, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Shania Twain and Kylie Minogue.
One of the few openly gay country musicians, 37-year-old Peck has been widely recognized as a powerful advocate for LGBTQ rights. In 2024, he received GLAAD’s prestigious Vito Russo Award, which is presented to an LGBTQ media professional who has made a “significant impact in advancing LGBTQ acceptance.”
Peck, who has never been seen in public without his signature mask, didn’t confirm whether he will finally show his face to the world as Emcee.
“I will say this,” he told Vareity’s Marc Malkin. “People will have to buy a ticket to find out.”