Cabaret has a way of getting under your skin. At the Kit Kat Club on Broadway, it turns the usual theater experience into something darker, closer, and more electric, with a Berlin setting right inside the August Wilson Theatre.

I love the show’s bold staging and the way it keeps you watching everything—performers, angles, and mood—without feeling like you’re sitting through a distant spectacle. I also like the star power: Orville Peck as the Emcee and Eva Noblezada as Sally Bowles on many dates.

One consideration: this is a 13-and-up show, and it’s not for people who need lots of photos and recordings during the performance.

Key highlights before you go

• Intimate Broadway staging built around the Kit Kat Club atmosphere, not a far-off stage experience
• Big performances from Orville Peck and Eva Noblezada (with a few date-specific absences)
• Music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, book by Joe Masteroff, based on John Van Druten and Christopher Isherwood
• Food and drinks are for purchase, so plan on spending a bit more than the ticket price
• No photography inside, including flash, video, and selfie sticks

Entering the Kit Kat Club vibe at the August Wilson Theatre

This is Cabaret, but it’s presented like you’re stepping into the Kit Kat Club world rather than watching it from the back row. The production is designed to feel intimate and electric, with the audience placed close enough that the energy lands quickly. If you like theater that feels alive in the room, this format tends to work.

A big part of the draw is that the show leans into its decadent Berlin mood. The world of the Kit Kat Club is right there in the theater, with artists and outsiders holding court through the night. In practical terms, that means you spend less time thinking about logistics and more time paying attention to what’s happening onstage—and around it.

Also, the “stay loose, be yourself” attitude fits Cabaret’s tone: it’s playful on the surface, then turns sharper. It’s the kind of night that can stick with you, long after you’ve walked back out onto Broadway.

Price and timing: making sense of the $68 ticket

Your ticket cost is $68 per person, and it covers the entry ticket only. That matters because the show is paired with a live, full performance experience that lasts nearly three hours total, so you’re paying for premium, in-the-room Broadway time—not just a quick performance.

Here’s what to plan for:

• The activity runs about 3 hours total (check available starting times for your specific option).
• The show itself lasts 2 hours and 45 minutes, including one intermission.

That intermission is the built-in “reset” moment. It’s also when many people handle snacks or drinks. Since food and drinks aren’t included and are available for purchase, budget extra if you want something to sip or snack during the break.

If you’re trying to manage timing for the rest of your day, treat this like a half-evening commitment. You’ll want a little breathing room before and after, especially if you’re pairing it with dinner or another stop.

Cast you should know: Emcee and Sally Bowles in Berlin

For a production like this, casting is a big deal. On many dates, the Emcee role is played by Orville Peck, and Eva Noblezada stars as Sally Bowles (through Sunday, July 20, 2025, per the schedule provided).

You should also know the specific date absences listed:

• Orville Peck does not perform on June 5.
• Eva Noblezada does not perform on April 18 and 29.

So if you’re set on a particular date, double-check who’s on for your performance. Even if you don’t know every detail about the actors, seeing the roles defined by the performance style you’ll get matters a lot in a show like Cabaret, where tone shifts quickly.

On the creative side, this production uses John Kander’s music, Fred Ebb’s lyrics, and Joe Masteroff’s book. It’s based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood. Translation: you’re watching a story with a strong foundation, not just songs arranged for entertainment.

Getting your ticket scanned and following the theater rules

Your meeting point is straightforward. Present your ticket at the August Wilson Theatre. The show ends back at that same meeting point.

Bring what you’ll need for entry: a passport or ID card. This is one of those small details people forget—then they’re stuck at the last minute trying to find the right document.

Then there are the rules that affect how you experience the night:

• Photography inside is not allowed
• Flash photography, video recording, and selfie sticks are prohibited

That’s worth taking seriously because it changes how you plan. If you’re the type who likes to capture everything, this production is not that sort of show. The upside is also real: no phones flashing means the room stays more focused, and you get a cleaner theatrical mood.

The show flow: what to expect from the first act to intermission

The performance runs 2 hours and 45 minutes, including one intermission, so you’re not in for a long, slow burn. Instead, expect a steady rhythm that balances entertainment with something darker underneath.

You’ll feel the Cabaret tone as it builds:

• It starts with that decadent club energy—inviting you in.
• It turns sharper as the show moves through its Berlin-night contrasts.
• The intermission is your one chance to step out, refuel, and reset before the second half.

Since food and drinks are available for purchase, intermission tends to be where people grab something quick. If you want to keep your evening smooth, plan to use that break rather than trying to manage snacks during the performance.

One more practical note: because there’s no photography allowed, the show is best enjoyed by watching closely and letting the stage picture land. If you go in ready to watch, you’ll get more out of it.

Why Cabaret feels timely (even when it’s history)

Cabaret’s Berlin setting isn’t just decoration. The point of this production’s tone—playful, then hard-edged—is that it connects emotional themes to the world the audience is living in right now. The result is a show that can feel like entertainment and a gut-punch at the same time.

That’s also why this isn’t a background theater night. When people react strongly, it’s usually because the show is asking you to pay attention to character choices, power dynamics, and the thin line between performance and reality.

And because the Kit Kat Club setting is built into the Broadway space, you’re not watching from a safe distance. You’re in the same atmosphere. That makes the shifts in tone hit harder.

Who this show is for (and who should skip it)

This Cabaret production is recommended for guests 13 and up. It’s also stated as not suitable for children under 13. If you have kids, this is a clear filter.

There’s also an admission rule: children under 4 will not be admitted. So even if a younger child is a fan of theater, the age rules close the door here.

Who tends to enjoy it most:

• Adults looking for a Broadway night with real edge
• People who like character-driven musicals and aren’t afraid of dark humor
• Anyone who wants a production that feels close and intense rather than formal and distant

If you’re planning a date night, this can work well too—just keep in mind it’s theater with strong mood and themes. It’s not a “silly musical” kind of evening.

Should you book Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club?

I’d book it if you want a high-energy Broadway Cabaret with an intimate club atmosphere and a cast you can feel in the room. The ticket price is $68, and while that’s not cheap for theater, you’re paying for a full-length, two-act show experience with live performance right in the theater’s built-in Kit Kat Club world.

I would hesitate if:

• You’re traveling with someone who needs kid-friendly content (this is 13-and-up)
• You strongly prefer to take photos and video during shows (this one prohibits it)
• You’re trying to keep spending ultra-tight, since food and drinks are available for purchase but not included

If you want a memorable, talk-about-it-after kind of Broadway night, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club is built for that.

FAQ

Where do I present my ticket?

Present your ticket at the August Wilson Theatre.

How long is the experience?

The activity runs about 3 hours total. The show lasts 2 hours and 45 minutes, including one intermission.

What’s included in the ticket price?

The ticket includes Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club entry.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are available for purchase, but they’re not included.

Is photography allowed during the show?

No. Photography inside is not allowed, and flash photography, video recording, and selfie sticks are prohibited.

Do I need an ID?

Yes. Bring a passport or ID card.

What age is this show for?

It’s recommended for guests 13 and up and is not suitable for children under 13. Children under 4 will not be admitted.

Are there dates when specific stars don’t perform?

Yes. Orville Peck does not perform on June 5, and Eva Noblezada does not perform on April 18 and 29.