Orville Pek’s Broadway Debut in Cabaret
Orville Pek is set to make his Broadway debut in Cabaret.
Transformation and New Presentation
The country singer is famous for donning a cowboy hat and a fringe mask to conceal his identity. However, in August of last year, the Dead of Night singer modified his look, trading his long fringe for a mask that is slightly more revealing.
At that time, he admitted that the transition was “a little nerve-wracking” and left him feeling “a bit exposed,” but he asserted it was a necessary change that enabled him to “grow.”
Earlier this year, it was confirmed that Pek would be joining the cast of the Broadway revival of Cabaret, stepping in for Adam Lambert. Since then, he has expressed excitement about playing the lead role.
“The mask is a fundamental part of my identity as an artist and is very personal to me,” he stated in an interview with New York Times. “But I am here to embody this role with integrity and respect, and I hope to deliver a great performance.”
The Musical and Its Impact
The musical, originally crafted by Kander and Ebb in 1966, explores the “excesses” within a hedonistic Berlin nightclub as the Nazis rise to power. Previously portrayed by Eddie Redmayne, Pek expressed to NME in 2023 that substituting for such iconic performances is both daunting and exhilarating.
Regarding his role, Pek mentioned, “I wouldn’t take on this role lightly, but it just might be my favorite musical of all time.” He will officially make his debut on Broadway on March 31.
In an earlier discussion with NME, Pek elaborated on how he channels his personality into his work, emphasizing the beauty of portraying an “enhanced version” of himself while maintaining honesty: “It’s sincere on one hand, and larger than life on the other, but it’s wonderful that these aspects can coexist.”
Pek has previously discussed the pressures to “unmask” his identity, explaining how this undermined his artistic expression and generated homophobic criticism towards him and his craft.
“Navigating the industry as a musician who identifies as gay, I’ve endured daily hatred, bullying, aggression, and attempts to discredit my work,” he shared. “All I ask is for respect for my artistry and for people to appreciate this essential part of my identity as an artist.”
Last year, the singer unveiled “Death Valley High,” a track featured on his album Stampede. The album also includes “Midnight Drive,” a collaboration with Kylie Minogue and Death, along with “You’re an Asshole, I Can’t Stand You (and I Want a Divorce)” featuring Margo Price.
“Panic Substance” followed the release of Pek’s 2022 LP Bronco. In a four-star review, NME noted that it offers “a rich landscape: completely modern and unapologetically queer.”
“The cowboy in the mask is a paradox of sincerity, not overpowering, and all the more captivating,” they added.
This past May, Pek released his EP Stampede: Vol. 1, showcasing a duet with Willie Nelson on the cover “Cowboys Don’t Often Love Each Other,” originally recorded by Nelson, plus a collaboration with Elton John on “Saturday Night (to Fight).”
https://www.nme.com/news/music/orville-peck-to-perform-unmasked-for-broadway-debut-in-cabaret-3847148?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=orville-peck-to-perform-unmasked-for-broadway-debut-in-cabaret
