Michelle Williams to make Broadway debut in 'Cabaret'

NEW YORK, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Michelle Williams is to make her Broadway debut in a 2014 revival of the stage musical "Cabaret," the Roundabout Theatre Company announced Wednesday.

Alan Cumming is to return to his Tony Award-winning role as Emcee opposite Williams as Sally Bowles.

Sam Mendes and Rob Marshall are also coming back to recreate their direction and choreography from the 1998 Tony Award-winning production, which starred the late Natasha Richardson as Bowles.

"Cabaret" features a book by Joe Masteroff, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. It is based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood.

The Broadway revival will play a 24-week limited engagement beginning previews March 21 and officially opening April 24 at the Kit Kat Klub at Studio 54.

"'Cabaret' is one of the greatest musicals in American musical theater history," Todd Haimes, artistic director of the Roundabout, said in a statement. "A classic like 'Cabaret' should be seen at least every decade in the same way we see classic plays like 'A Streetcar Named Desire' and 'The Glass Menagerie.' Our production opened 15 years ago in a seminal production directed by Sam Mendes and Rob Marshall and showcased a Tony Award-winning performance by Alan Cumming. Sam, Rob and Alan bring back 15 years of experience and perspective to this material. I am excited to experience the production with an all new cast including Michelle Williams who I know will make an exceptional Sally Bowles."

"I'm delighted to be stepping back into the Kit Kat Klub one more time, and to be having the opportunity to re-explore and re-discover this extraordinary musical alongside two equally extraordinary performers," said Mendes.

"I am thrilled that Todd Haimes and the Roundabout have decided to revive this production of the Kander/Ebb/Masteroff masterwork, 'Cabaret,'" said Marshall. "Working on this unique and profound musical was a truly great experience and I am looking forward to returning to it with such a spectacular cast. Michelle Williams is an actress of rare gifts and she will make an astonishing Sally Bowles. And I am especially excited that Alan Cumming is reprising his extraordinary performance as the Emcee for a whole new audience to experience."

"I first played the Emcee in London 20 years ago, and then again five years later on Broadway," said Cumming. "I was in a totally different place in my life on both those occasions, and I am certainly a different man today. But one thing hasn't changed: There are still people in this world who want to oppress and destroy us for being different, and 'Cabaret' is both a celebration of diversity and a reminder of the dangers of complacency. It couldn't be more relevant and I couldn't be more excited to be a part of it."