RuPaul’s Drag Race fans know Marcia Marcia Marcia as one of the standout competitors from season 15. Known offstage as Marty Lauter, this nonbinary actor, singer, and live performer has been making waves on Broadway. In 2024, Lauter is not only playing Victor in the revival of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club but is also the understudy for the Academy Award-winning actor Eddie Redmayne in his role as the Emcee.
“The show itself has been an incredible gift. It’s such a momentous revival, and it’s been very talked about,” Lauter shared in an interview. “It’s been quite divisive among certain people, but it’s been so incredible. More than anything, it’s taught me how to use any kind of nerves and anxiety, and to channel them into something useful.”
Victor remains Lauter’s primary role, but they had the opportunity to perform as the Emcee on three different dates in July. “Getting to put my perspective on it and seeing people respond so positively has been very fulfilling and affirming,” Lauter said. Playing such an iconic and demanding role is no small feat, and Lauter expressed admiration for Redmayne’s dedication and passion for the project.
Cabaret, first opened on Broadway in 1966, is a musical set in Berlin between 1929 and 1930, during the rise of the Nazi Party. The story takes place in the Kit Kat Club, where the Emcee narrates the events, providing a complex character arc. “The role is very demanding, with numerous makeup changes and high-energy performances. Eddie has been incredibly supportive, referring to the role as ‘our part,’ which is very sweet and selfless of him,” Lauter said.
This year has been eventful for Lauter, with appearances at both the Emmy Awards and the Tony Awards. At the Emmys, Lauter represented RuPaul’s Drag Race in full Marcia Marcia Marcia drag, making headlines alongside their fellow Drag Race queens. Lauter also performed in the Tony Awards, presenting “Willkommen,” the opening number of Cabaret.
Reflecting on their Broadway journey, Lauter highlighted the support from the Drag Race community, with fellow queens attending their shows. Despite the initial fear that participating in Drag Race might affect their Broadway career, Lauter has found that the experience has been overwhelmingly positive. “I obviously love Marcia so much. She’s very much a part of me. But there are also things that Marty wants to do, and all of those things should be able to happen at once. I don’t think we should be limited to anything,” Lauter said.
As Lauter continues to balance their roles in drag and on stage, they emphasize the importance of representation and the unique perspective they bring to their performances. “Our production hits on a very nuanced topic. Sometimes, even marginalized people will marginalize others for survival. When I play Victor, I’m also very blonde and have a beautiful bowl cut. Amongst the cast, Victor will probably have the easiest time assimilating into those circumstances,” Lauter noted.
The revival of Cabaret offers a timely reflection on historical and contemporary issues of marginalization and resilience, with Lauter’s performance adding a compelling layer to this celebrated production.
