Three days in a coma tested every limit for Billy Porter, yet the Tony winner now steps back into the spotlight with renewed force.
Porter stars as Albin in the Encores! production of La Cage aux Folles at New York City Center. The limited run runs June 17 through June 28, 2026. Wayne Brady plays opposite him as Georges in an all-Black cast.
The production revives the classic musical comedy with fresh casting announced earlier this year. Rehearsal footage released by the company shows Porter delivering the number "(A Little More) Mascara" and the duet "With You on My Arm" with Brady.
Porter contracted a urinary tract infection in September 2025 while performing in Cabaret in London. The infection progressed to sepsis and placed him in a coma for three days. He has since described the experience as a near-death event that reshaped his outlook.
"I am on the road to complete recovery. It is a gift to be alive," Porter said in a March 2026 interview. He added, "My work here on this Earth is not done, and that gives me hope."
USA Today reported on his March 17, 2026 appearance on the Today show, where he discussed the medical crisis and his gradual return to performing. Playbill first detailed the rehearsal videos and full cast for the June engagement. Broadway.com listed ticket information and performance dates for the New York City Center run.
Encores! productions focus on concert stagings of rarely seen musicals with short rehearsal periods. This mounting of La Cage aux Folles marks Porter's first major stage appearance since the London run of Cabaret. The all-Black casting brings a distinct lens to the story of a drag club owner and his partner raising a son.
Porter has not performed on a New York stage since his health scare. The upcoming dates represent a deliberate step back into live theater under controlled conditions. Tickets went on sale through the City Center website following the casting announcement.
Company members have noted Porter's steady presence in rehearsals despite the recent medical history. The limited schedule allows focused preparation without an extended commitment. No additional performances beyond the June window have been confirmed.
