Podcast Summary: MickeyJoTheatre – "CABARET - Who Will Star on Broadway? | Revival Transfer News and Sally Bowles Casting Rumours"

Release Date: July 11, 2023

In this episode, Mickey-Jo delves into the exciting news of the acclaimed West End revival of Cabaret making its way to Broadway. He explores the production’s immersive elements, the potential Broadway venue, casting speculations, and the revival’s prospects in the New York theatre scene.

**1. Major News: Cabaret’s Transfer to Broadway

Mickey-Jo opens the discussion by announcing the transfer of the highly successful West End revival of Cabaret to Broadway.

Micky Joe [00:00]: "The award-winning, smash hit, immersive West End revival of the Cabaret musical is officially going to be transferring to Broadway."

He notes that while not all successful West End shows make it to Broadway, Cabaret stands a strong chance due to its popularity and critical acclaim.

**2. West End Revival’s Immersive Experience

The production has reimagined the Playhouse Theatre in the West End, now temporarily named the Kit Kat Club, enhancing its immersive quality.

Micky Joe [02:30]: "It's doing very well. Not only has the auditorium been converted to a space that is now in the round with audience on either side of the stage, but they've also fully renovated the bar areas and the backstage areas."

Key features include:

• In-the-Round Staging: Enhances audience engagement by surrounding the stage with viewers.
• Renovated Spaces: Improved sightlines, upgraded bar areas, and interactive backstage sections.
• Immersive Elements: Audience pathways through underground bars and prologue performances that set the scene before the show begins.

**3. Broadway Venue: August Wilson Theatre

Contrary to speculations about the Majestic Theatre, Cabaret will transfer to the August Wilson Theatre, previously home to Funny Girl.

Micky Joe [05:20]: "It will, in fact, be going to the August Wilson Theatre, where Funny Girl is currently playing, and due to close this September."

He appreciates the August Wilson Theatre for its spacious foyer, which aligns with Cabaret’s immersive setup.

**4. Historical Context: Past Cabaret Revivals

Mickey-Jo compares previous Cabaret revivals and their performances both in London and New York.

• 1998 Broadway Revival: Directed by Sam Mendes, starring Alan Cumming and Natasha Richardson. It was a commercial success with notable replacements like Neil Patrick Harris.
• 2006 West End Revival: Directed by Rufus Norris, it achieved significant acclaim and numerous tours with stars like Will Young and Samantha Barks.
• Sam Mendes Revival Returns: Brought back to Studio 54 featuring talents like Michelle Williams and Emma Stone.

Micky Joe [09:15]: "London's success definitely doesn't guarantee New York success. Long-running shows like A Chorus Line didn't have that same kind of life in London."

**5. Prospects on Broadway and Tony Awards

Mickey-Jo assesses the revival’s potential impact on Broadway, considering its critical reception and award prospects.

Micky Joe [12:50]: "If it has the same critical reception in New York that it did in London and it's beloved by the critics and it goes on to win some Tony Awards, then it can combine that sort of critical love with the fact that it's a well-known name."

He anticipates nominations in categories such as Best Revival of a Musical, Best Direction, and Best Acting, competing against shows like Merrily We Roll Along and The Wiz.

**6. Casting Speculations: The MC and Sally Bowles

A significant portion of the episode focuses on who might star in the leading roles.

The Master of Ceremonies (MC):

• Eddie Redmayne: Currently linked with the role, having played the MC in the West End.

  Micky Joe [17:40]: "Eddie Redmayne is presumably going to be continuing with the show and starring as the MC."

Sally Bowles:

• Michaela Diamond: Highlighted as a top contender due to her Tony-nominated performance in Parade.

  Micky Joe [20:10]: "The name that I'm currently seeing everywhere is Michaela Diamond, the Tony Award nominated star of Parade opposite Ben Platt."

• Other Rumored Actresses:

  • Julia Garner
  • Maud Apatow
  • Madeline Brewer
  • Adrienne Warren
  • Billie Piper
  • Emma Watson (alsomentioned as a wildcard)

Micky Joe [21:50]: "It's always the possibility that Eddie Redmayne... is definitely gaining traction in her career, but is not an Eddie Redmayne level of star yet. Potentially."

Mickey-Jo expresses hope for a diverse and authentic casting approach, emphasizing the importance of representation.

**7. Supporting Cast and Additional Roles

The discussion extends to supporting characters, focusing on diversity and the caliber of actors suitable for roles like Cliff and Fraulein Schneider.

Micky Joe [25:00]: "There has been a very deliberate approach to the casting of Cliff in this revival and he has been cast with exclusively non-white actors."

He suggests potential names for supporting roles, such as Donna Murphy for Fraulein Schneider and Danny Burstein as Herr Schultz, highlighting the importance of pairing strong actors to enhance the production’s depth.

**8. Final Thoughts and Predictions

Mickey-Jo concludes with optimism about the revival’s Broadway run while acknowledging the challenges posed by historical precedents.

Micky Joe [28:30]: "My gut feeling and instinct here is that this has all of the key components it needs in order to be able to succeed in New York. But I am conscious of this lingering shadow of the previous revival."

He anticipates Cabaret to have a respectable run on Broadway, potentially mirroring the reception it has enjoyed in London, while managing expectations based on past transfers.

**9. Closing Remarks

Mickey-Jo wraps up the episode by inviting listeners to engage with him on social media for updates and to share their casting suggestions.

Micky Joe [30:00]: "If you have any other suggestions or rumors about who might be playing Sally in the Broadway production of Cabaret, let us know in the comments section down below."

Conclusion

This episode provides a comprehensive analysis of Cabaret’s upcoming Broadway transfer, blending detailed insights into production elements, historical context, casting rumors, and future prospects. Mickey-Jo's thorough examination offers listeners a clear understanding of what to expect and engages them in the ongoing conversation about this highly anticipated revival.