Liza Minnelli Gives Thumbs Up to Michelle Williams Casting

Roundabout Theatre Company officially announced this week that three-time Academy Award nominee Michelle Williams will star for the first time on Broadway as 'Sally Bowles' in its upcoming revival of Cabaret by Joe Masteroff, John Kander and Fred Ebb. She will take the stage at Studio 54 alongside Alan Cumming, reprising his Tony Award-winning role as the Emcee.

Yesterday, acclaimed actress and singer Liza Minnelli, who received an Academy Award for her now-iconic portrayal of Sally in Bob Fosse's 1972 movie adaptation of the musical, told E! News exclusively that she gives a thumbs up to the casting. "Michelle is a wonderful actress and I love Alan Cumming," said the Broadway vet. "I'm excited to see what they will do with the show and am sure it will be great!"

Academy Award-winner Sam Mendes (director) and Academy Award nominee Rob Marshall (co-director/choreographer) will be returning to recreate their Tony-nominated direction and choreography from the 1998 Tony Award-winning production. In a statement earlier this week, Mendes shared, "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."

Added Marshall, "Michelle Williams is an actress of rare gifts and she will make an astonishing Sally Bowles."

Williams proved she could belt out a tune when she earned an Oscar nomination for her work as Marilyn Monroe in 2011's My Week With Marilyn.

Liza Minnelli was last seen onstage in Liza's at The Palace, for which she won a Tony Award. She has also graced the Broadway stage in Minnelli on Minnelli, Victor/Victoria, The Rink, The Act, Chicago, Jule's Friends at the Palace, Liza, Flora, the Red Menace and more. Her Off-Broadway shows include Best Foot Forward.

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