Does the Mask Stay On?

Hey, baby … just one question: When you’re, you know, dancing with the gorilla, does the mask have to stay on? Orville Peck is the next Emcee of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, alongside Eva Noblezada (Hadestown) as Sally Bowles. “I truly cannot believe I’m getting to make my Broadway debut in one of my favorite shows and in probably my favorite role in all of musical theater,” Peck said in a statement. “I grew up in the theater. I was a working actor and a dancer for many years before I started making music. I did the hustle, and the struggle, for a long time, trying to make things happen for myself. But it taught me so much of who I am as a performer and a person, so it feels very full circle to be making a return to it at this point in my career.”

It’s hard not to wonder what’s going to happen to Peck’s trademark anonymity. Of course, his identity has long been Google-able, but the South African country singer certainly never performs without the mask. Even his headshot came with a mask. While it might seem like the obvious answer is that he can’t possibly wear the mask, if there was any role where he could, it might be this one. The Emcee is an unknowable force of showmanship. At the same time, he clearly has a lot of respect for theater. If you wanna be there on opening night to learn the answer to this mystery, Peck and Noblezada’s run begins March 31, and it will last 16 weeks. Mask 4 mask?

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