Adam Lambert and Auli’i Cravalho Make Broadway Debuts In Iconic “Cabaret” Revival
“I get the role. I get who he is. I’m excited about it. I think it works with my skill set,” Lambert says about playing the Emcee.
The curtain rises on a new era at the Kit Kat Club as Grammy nominee and LGBTQIA+ icon Adam Lambert and Moana star Auli’i Cravalho step into the spotlight in the Tony-nominated revival of Cabaret. According to Edge Media, the duo will make their highly anticipated Broadway debuts as the Emcee and Sally Bowles on September 16 at the August Wilson Theatre.
Lambert, known for his powerhouse vocals and collaborations with Queen, brings a wealth of musical theatre experience to the role. “It sounds cliche, but this is literally a childhood dream,” he shares. The singer-songwriter, who recently released his dance-centric EP Afters, has performed in the national tour and Los Angeles production of Wicked.
Cravalho, the voice behind the beloved Disney princess Moana, is ready to tackle the iconic role of Sally Bowles. “I’m thrilled to be playing a character whose background isn’t really established,” she says. “The fun really comes in the detail work.” The rising star has showcased her talents in various projects, including The Power, Rise and the film adaptation of Mean Girls: The Musical.
“It’s so timely right now. We’re potentially on the verge of fascism again, just like they were then,” Lambert reflects on the show’s relevance. Set in 1930s Berlin, Cabaret explores the decadent world of the Kit Kat Klub as the looming threat of fascism takes hold. The Kander and Ebb musical features memorable songs like Willkommen and The Money Song, Cabaret and If You Could See Her Now.
Auli’i grew up listening to the Liza Minnelli-led cast album and is particularly excited to perform Don’t Tell Mama. “I saw the show before my audition, pen and paper in hand,” she reveals. “The show feels so fresh and current.”
Both performers succeed Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin, both Tony nominees for their performances. The newcomers will play a limited engagement through March 30, 2025, as part of the revival’s open-ended run at the August Wilson Theatre.
Cabaret has a rich history of LGBTQIA+ representation on Broadway, with past productions featuring trailblazing performers like Joel Grey and Alan Cumming as the Emcee. The musical has long served as a platform for exploring themes of identity, expression, and resilience.
