Orville Peck wows with Eva Noblezada in 'Cabaret' Broadway revival

Orville Peck as ‘Emcee’ (center) performing “Money” in Cabaret | Photo by Julieta Cervantes

The country star joins theatre vets for stunning Broadway debut

Two minutes into Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club (really the August Wilson theater on Broadway in New York City) I had one thought: Give Orville Peck a role in which he can win a Tony.

The immersive revival of the haunting tale of early Nazi Germany welcomed the country star into the role of the Emcee in March of this year. While that was outside the window of the show’s awards eligibility—it competed in 2024–Orville Peck, along with Eva Noblezada as Sally Bowles, has been earning rave reviews.

Peck throws himself into the campy role with a fearlessness rarely found when celebrities not famous for acting come to the Great White Way. He even performs maskless, eschewing his gimmick from his music persona. From the first notes of “Willkommen,” you are almost startled by the deranged and dirty man leading the cabaret.

In the Playbill for the show, Peck talks about how he approached the role, and the choices in make-up and wardrobe that were made to suit him. Maybe he realized it or maybe he didn’t, But Peck’s Emcee starts off like a demented rodeo clown. A perfect allusion to his country stardom. The only other hint of Peck in the role? He sometimes lets his yodeling vibrato loose, but only sparingly.

Noblezada brings a sense of strength, yet innocence to her character, the conflicted Sally Bowles. As the Weimar Republic crumbled around her, she is insistent on staying an ever-more Hellish Berlin. All of this culminates in her star number; one that makes you feel pity and anger at her all at once. Noblezada’s solo "Cabaret" earned teary eyes and a standing ovation at the Wednesday matinee I caught.

Another solo was Peck’s "Tomorrow Belongs to Me." Performed nearly a capella, it is the first moment where the Emcee begins to show the cracks beneath his veneer and his true allegiances are revealed. It’s stunningly executed and earns gasps.

Throughout the second act, the clownish Emcee evolves into the very avatar of the perfect Nazi, and Peck disappears even further into the role. There were times I even had to look again to make sure it was him.

Peck is a great singer and a great actor. This turn should prove to the theatre community that he deserves the chance to originate a role, and compete among those he now stands shoulder to shoulder with. He’s that talented an actor.

Peck and Noblezada wrap their turns in Cabaret on July 20th. Take your trip to Berlin by way of the Kit Kat Club inside the August Wilson theatre while you can.