In a recent episode of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” Broadway star Gayle Rankin appeared as a guest. Rankin, known for her roles in “The Greatest Showman,” “GLOW,” and “Perry Mason,” is currently starring as Sally Bowles in the hit musical “Cabaret” at the KitKat Club on Broadway.
During the interview, Colbert congratulated Rankin on the show’s reception and the five Drama Desk Award nominations it received, including one for her outstanding lead performance in a musical. Rankin expressed her gratitude and described the experience as surreal and very alive. She never thought she would have the opportunity to play Sally Bowles and is thrilled to be a part of such a successful production.
Colbert mentioned some of the incredible guests who have come to see the show, including Eddie Redmayne and Joel Grey, the original MC from “Cabaret.” Rankin admitted that she was initially unaware that John Kander, who wrote the music for the musical, was in the audience. She was taken by surprise and felt a bit intimidated singing in front of such legends.
Rankin shared that she had actually met John Kander ten years ago during the first production of “Cabaret.” To be able to sing the iconic songs to him and say the famous line, “Life is a cabaret, old chum,” was a dream come true for her.
When Colbert asked about her journey from playing Fran in “Glow” to Sally Bowles, Rankin revealed that it was a deep, secret dream of hers to play the role. She never thought it would actually happen but kept her desire hidden. However, during a trip to Berlin with a friend, she ended up in a bar with a composer friend who encouraged her to sing some of the songs from “Cabaret.” It was a special moment for her, and little did she know that a few weeks later, she would find out she got the part.
Discussing her excitement about landing the role of Sally Bowles, Rankin mentioned the incredible support she received from many people throughout her journey. She expressed her gratitude and acknowledged that it had been an emotional experience both on and off stage.
Just when you thought the interview couldn’t get any more entertaining, Colbert surprised Rankin with a prairie oyster, a raw egg mixed with Worcestershire sauce that is believed to be a hangover cure. Curious to try it, Rankin agreed, and Colbert joined in as well. The two clinked their glasses and drank the concoction, with Rankin exclaiming that she felt alive and energized.
As the interview came to an end, Colbert joked about Rankin’s Scottish accent and asked how she ended up at Juilliard. Rankin humorously explained that she had come to New York on vacation with her parents, took a bus tour, and saw that Juilliard was one of the prestigious places in the city. Having the opportunity to audition the following year, she ended up getting in and embracing her newfound home in New York.
Overall, the interview was lively, filled with laughter and excitement. Gayle Rankin‘s journey from a young kid in Scotland to a Broadway star is both inspiring and entertaining. Audiences can catch her incredible performance as Sally Bowles in “Cabaret” at the KitKat Club at the August Wilson Theater.
