Broadway Actor Hospitalised During Cabaret Performance
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An actor in the Broadway production of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club found themselves in the midst of a health scare during Friday night’s performance. Price Waldman, who was standing in for the role of Herr Schultz in the revival of the classic John Kander and Fred Ebb musical directed by Rebecca Frecknall, encountered a medical emergency during Act 1 on September 12. The show came to a halt when Waldman froze on stage, prompting the production team to stop the performance abruptly. Observers from the audience, including PEOPLE, witnessed the incident unfold. The incident took place over 20 minutes into the show, just before the rendition of “Don’t Tell Mama.” The stage lights were brightened as a staff member guided Waldman off the stage. Attendees were instructed to remain seated and were notified that the bar facilities would not be available.
Following the episode, Waldman was swiftly transported to a nearby hospital by ambulance, where a source revealed to PEOPLE that he was promptly attended to and is currently in a stable condition. An announcement was made to the audience disclosing that Waldman was conscious and responsive as he was being transported to the medical facility. While no official diagnosis was shared at the time, PEOPLE reached out to Waldman and representatives of the show for further details. Approximately 30 minutes later, the performance of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club resumed, with the character of Herr Schultz being portrayed by Colin Cunliffe. The audience had already begun to show their appreciation for the show before Cunliffe substituted in, but the ovation became noticeably more intense during his curtain call.
This occurrence marked the second time this month that health issues within the cast of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club made headlines. On September 7, it was revealed that Billy Porter would be exiting the production due to a severe case of sepsis, a dangerous condition caused by the body’s improper response to an infection. Porter, who played the character of Emcee and had previously brought the role to life in the London rendition, was set to continue in the part until October 19. Porter’s doctors remain optimistic about his recovery, although they advised him to ease his schedule in the upcoming weeks. The production team expressed their well-wishes for Porter’s speedy recuperation and indicated their anticipation of collaborating with him once again in the future.
As a consequence of Porter’s departure, the show’s producers decided to conclude Cabaret prematurely. The musical, which premiered in April 2024, will host its final show at the August Wilson Theatre in New York City on Sunday, September 21. For the remaining performances, the role of Emcee will be shared between Marty Lauter and David Merino, who had been serving as understudies for the production. Marisha Wallace, who debuted in Cabaret alongside Porter in July as Sally Bowles, will continue her role until the show’s closure.
Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club draws its inspiration from John Van Druten’s play ‘I Am a Camera’ from 1951, which itself is derived from Christopher Isherwood’s 1939 novel ‘Goodbye to Berlin’. The musical, featuring a book by Joe Masteroff, chronicles the adventures of fictitious American writer Clifford Bradshaw as he relocates to Berlin during the emergence of the Nazi regime. The interactions he witnesses within the Kit Kat Club, such as the enigmatic Emcee and the British songstress Sally Bowles, lay the foundation for the show and his forthcoming novel. The score, composed by Kander & Ebb, includes iconic songs like “Willkommen,” “Don’t Tell Mama,” “Mein Herr,” “Two Ladies,” “Tomorrow Belongs to Me,” “Money,” “Maybe This Time,” and of course, “Cabaret.”
Over the years, Cabaret has garnered significant acclaim both on stage and on the silver screen. The production premiered on Broadway in 1966 before being adapted into the 1972 film starring Academy Award winner Liza Minnelli in the role of Sally. Subsequent revivals took place on Broadway in 1998 and 2014, with Alan Cumming assuming the part of Emcee. The most recent revival, initiated in London and presently running there, kicked off on Broadway with Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin in the leading roles. Following their departure from the show, Redmayne and Rankin were succeeded by a trio of prominent pairs, including Adam Lambert and Auli’i Cravalho, Orville Peck and Eva Noblezada. Tickets for Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club are now on sale, offering enthusiasts a chance to witness this legendary production live once more.