Orville Peck makes Broadway debut in Cabaret without signature mask

Orville Peck, the masked alt-country singer known for his distinctive onstage persona, will appear without his signature facial covering for the first time when he takes on the role of the Emcee in Broadway’s Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club. Peck confirmed the decision in an interview with The New York Times on Monday.

“The mask is part of my expression personally as an artist and a very big personal part of me,” Peck explained. “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.”

Since his 2019 debut album Pony, Peck has never publicly revealed his face, consistently performing in various styles of masks. However, his Broadway debut alongside Eva Noblezada as Sally Bowles will mark a major departure from this tradition. He replaces Adam Lambert in the production, beginning his run on March 31 through July 20.

Peck described the opportunity as a dream role, calling Cabaret his favorite musical. “I grew up as an actor and doing theater, and for a lot of people, this is a really coveted role in musical theater because it’s so open to interpretation and an incredible character,” he told Variety in January.

According to The New York Times, Peck’s portrayal is influenced by his Canadian punk roots, bringing a raw energy to the Emcee. Journalist Erik Piepenburg noted that rather than the traditional Berlin nightclub host, Peck’s take evokes the intensity of a 1984 mosh pit, akin to Black Flag’s Henry Rollins. His Broadway debut is expected to bring a unique edge to the celebrated musical.