Ill health or bad reviews? Why Billy Porter is out of ‘Cabaret’

The Broadway revival of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club has collapsed under the weight of controversy, illness, and financial suspicion. Broadway’s darling Billy Porter has taken an unexpected bow out of the revival of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, leaving fans and theater buffs reeling. The Tony-winning icon, known for his electric stage presence, has been sidelined by a serious case of sepsis, a life-threatening condition that’s forced him to prioritize recovery over the razzle-dazzle. As a result, the show’s run is cut short, closing on September 21, 2025, nearly a month early. Producers insist the show cannot continue without him.

Counting the sheckles

But behind the curtain, a different drama is playing out in court. Investor James Lorenzo Walker Jr. has filed a $50,000 fraud lawsuit, accusing the producers of engineering “a deliberate scheme intended to strip him and other investors of their investments.” His complaint notes that Cabaret has grossed more than $90 million since its April 2024 opening, yet he has received neither repayment nor profit participation. He further claims he was denied access to financial records, raising questions about transparency.

The producers counter that while the production was an artistic success, it was not fiscally positioned to distribute profits. Weekly grosses peaked at $2 million in May 2024 when Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin headlined, but collapsed to just over $500,000 by late August 2025 after Billy Porter and Marisha Wallace took over. Mounting costs—including the expensive renovation of the August Wilson Theatre into a cabaret-style venue—appear to have swallowed much of the revenue.

The lady doth protest too much?

To critics, however, the timing looks suspicious. Porter’s illness provided a convenient pretext to shutter a production that had already slumped financially, avoiding the prolonged trickle of losses and intensifying scrutiny from investors. Walker’s lawsuit suggests something more than misfortune: that producers knowingly misled backers about profitability, echoing the infamous plot of The Producers, where a show is designed to fail as a cover for financial maneuvering.

Performance under the spotlight

Diving deeper into Billy Porter’s stint as the Emcee in Cabaret, fan feedback paints a mixed picture before his health crisis took center stage. Many attendees raved about co-star Marisha Wallace’s spellbinding Sally Bowles, often stealing the show with her raw energy. In contrast, reviews of Porter’s performance frequently noted a lack of spark, with some describing him as seeming tired or disengaged during his run.

Posts on platforms like Reddit and BroadwayWorld forums highlight specific critiques of Billy Porter’s time on stage. Fans pointed out moments of vocal strain, with one calling his voice horribly ragged and another noting poorly hit notes that dulled the impact of his numbers, save for a standout Money Makes the World Go Around. Others felt his presence lacked the immersive transformation expected of the iconic role.

Beyond vocal delivery, some theatergoers questioned Billy Porter’s commitment, mentioning he heckled the audience and appeared uninterested. A few even raised concerns over line delivery that risked misinterpretation, with one Reddit user suggesting a flub carried unintended antisemitic undertones. These reactions hint that audience reception may have already been lukewarm before illness forced his exit.

Health takes center stage

As the curtain falls early on Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, Billy Porter’s sudden exit due to a severe case of sepsis has shifted the narrative from stage critiques to genuine concern. Reports confirm the star is under medical care, with producers prioritizing his recovery over the show’s run, as noted by outlets like The New York Times.

This life-threatening condition, a brutal response to infection, has understandably taken precedence, and while Billy Porter is expected to recover, his return to the Broadway stage remains uncertain. The early closure on September 21, 2025, reflects the gravity of his health scare, with alternates stepping in to fill the Emcee’s enigmatic shoes during these final weeks.

For fans of Billy Porter, this news stings more than any mixed review ever could. The outpouring of support on social media shows the deep affection for this trailblazing talent, whose larger-than-life persona has long lit up both stage and screen. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery to see him back in the spotlight soon.

Digging into the disconnect

While Billy Porter’s health crisis is the headline-grabber, the tepid reviews of his Cabaret performance can’t be ignored as part of the story. Before sepsis forced him offstage, audiences were already whispering about a lack of the usual Porter magic, raising questions about whether burnout played a role.

Some fans speculated that Billy Porter’s packed schedule—balancing Broadway with film projects and advocacy—might have dulled his edge in this demanding role. Comments on forums suggest his energy seemed sapped, with one Reddit user noting he “seemed weary throughout,” a stark contrast to the vibrant defiance he’s known for in roles like Pose.

This isn’t to diminish the gravity of Billy Porter’s current battle with sepsis, which rightfully overshadows any critique. Yet, the chatter around his performance hints at a broader conversation about the toll of a relentless career on even the brightest stars, adding layers to his unexpected exit.

Unpacking the performance puzzle

Before the health crisis that sidelined Billy Porter, the Broadway buzz was already tinged with disappointment over his Cabaret turn. Diving deeper into fan reactions, it’s clear that many felt the star’s usual charisma was missing, sparking debates on whether external pressures dulled his shine.

Some theatergoers on platforms like Reddit pointed to specific moments where Billy Porter’s performance felt off, beyond just vocal fatigue. Remarks about inconsistent accents and a lack of immersion suggest he struggled to fully embody the Emcee, with one forum user noting he often just seemed like Billy Porter rather than the character.

This disconnect, paired with whispers of overextension in his multifaceted career, paints a picture of a star possibly stretched too thin. While Billy Porter’s sepsis diagnosis now takes precedence, these earlier critiques add a nuanced layer to why his Cabaret run didn’t hit the high notes expected.

Beyond the stage struggles

While Billy Porter’s battle with sepsis has understandably taken the spotlight, the pre-health crisis critiques of his Cabaret performance linger in the conversation. Fans and critics alike were vocal about a perceived dip in his usual dynamism, questioning if the role truly suited him.

Digging into the feedback, it’s evident that Billy Porter’s portrayal of the Emcee didn’t universally captivate. Beyond vocal weariness, some pointed to a lack of emotional depth, with forum chatter suggesting he couldn’t fully disappear into the character’s dark, enigmatic allure, leaving audiences wanting more transformative magic.

This isn’t to overshadow the seriousness of Billy Porter’s current health fight, which remains the priority. However, these earlier murmurs of disappointment suggest that even without illness, his Cabaret stint might not have been the triumphant return to Broadway many hoped for, adding complexity to his exit.

Curtain call for concern

To critics, however, the timing looks suspicious. Porter’s illness provided a convenient pretext to shutter a production that had already slumped financially, avoiding the prolonged trickle of losses and intensifying scrutiny from investors. Walker’s lawsuit suggests something more than misfortune: that producers knowingly misled backers about profitability, echoing the infamous plot of The Producers, where a show is designed to fail as a cover for financial maneuvering.

As the spotlight dims on Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, Billy Porter’s exit due to a serious case of sepsis overshadows any stage critiques. While reviews hinted at a less-than-stellar run, the real story is his health. We’re rooting for Billy Porter’s swift recovery, hoping to see this icon back dazzling us soon.