He even has history with Germany, having done voiceover work there as a child.
Peck withCabaretdirector Rebecca Frecknall
Later, upstairs at an after-party held at 1604 Broadway, John Waters held court.
Noblezada, under a Binata Millinery headpiece nodding to Hedy Lemarr, toasted with her fiance, Reeve Carney.
Photo: Jenny Anderson
By the way, Peck said his fears immediately disappeared under that first spotlight.
Here are excerpts from our conversation, held shortly before his debut.
Those are all aspects ofCabaret, especially in the Emcee.
Peck withCabaretdirector Rebecca Frecknall
Whats it like embodying them through this new role?
How vulnerable are we willing to be?
And who is the real person sitting underneath it all?
Eva Noblezada as Sally Bowles
I often say my mask allows me to be more myself.
The themes inCabaretspeak to that.
The silent undercurrent of hate, bigotry, anger.
Photo: Jenny Anderson
Those feelings can often be underneath a lot of smiles that people carry.
The Emcee occupies a strange place, inside and outside the action.
How are you finding your way into that?
In almost every production Ive seen ofCabaret, there are moments where you wonder, Is he really there?
Is he this ethereal thing?
Is he a representation of something?
Is he a real person?
I wanted to base this as a real person, first and foremost.
Theyre all running from or to something, trying to experience a freedom they maybe dont have somewhere else.
Is there any part of you, watching Eva perform, that longs to play Sally?
Its got almost a country-song kind of sentiment to it.
Maybe thats why I like it so much.
Eva Noblezada as Sally Bowles
How have rehearsals been going?
Are there things about yourself as a performer that are surprising you?
This was a baptism by fire.
But yeah, its a whole different thing.
I mean, Ive been self-employed and in charge of my lifestyle and time for the last decade.
Thats been a very humbling thing to get used to again.
But I like any opportunity to be humbled.
Doing this role on Broadway, I am absolutely happy to put in any kind of work.
Were a few days out from your first performance.
What are you anticipating will be the biggest thing that you have to get used to?
How much time do you have?
No, I think the biggest challenge about this particular production is that its in the round.
Theres tables right up to the stage, its very immersive.
They have done such a gorgeous job with the August Wilson Theater.
Just sitting in there before the show is an event in itself because it is so stunning.
But here theres no hiding, and you have to keep everything engaged at all times.
This conversation has been edited and condensed.
