The country artist is slated to take over the role of the Emcee in the hit revival later this month
After much speculation, country singer Orville Peck confirmed that he will not wear his mask when he makes his Broadway debut in Cabaret later this month.
The singer-songwriter has never been seen without his signature mask since making dropping his breakthrough debut, Pony, 2019. And he was even wearing it during his interview with The New York Times when he revealed he would finally take it off for Broadway.
“The mask is part of my expression personally as an artist and a very big personal part of me,” Peck said. “But I’m here to play this role and to bring respect and integrity and hopefully a good performance to it. It’s not about me. I’m not trying to make it the Orville Peck show.”
Peck will take over the role of the Emcee — the enigmatic master of ceremonies who presides over the Kit Kat Club and the proceedings of Cabaret — starting March 31. In the hit revival, which debuted in London before moving to New York City, the role has been played by Eddy Redmayne and Adam Lambert (with Billy Porter recently taking over the part in the London production).
Peck admitted to feeling “a little shook” about taking the stage without his mask, but doing so for a show like Cabaret was an easy decision to make. Prior to his country career, Peck worked as a professional dancer and actor. He also recalled recently finding an old journal entry, written when he was 14, in which he dreamed of one day playing the Emcee.
“I wouldn’t have necessarily done this for just anything,” Peck said of taking off the mask. “But this is probably my favorite musical of all time.”
Peck’s turn as the Emcee will coincide with Eva Noblezada taking over the role of Sally Bowles from Auli‘i Cravalho. The pair are set for a 16-week limited engagement that wraps July 20.
