Home / Arts and Entertainment / Billy Porter's Triumphant Return to Stage After Sepsis Battle
Billy Porter's Triumphant Return to Stage After Sepsis Battle
18 Jun
Summary
- Billy Porter returns to theater after surviving a life-threatening sepsis battle.
- He stars as Albin in the Encores! production of La Cage Aux Folles.
- Porter described the role as a dream come true, celebrating Black, queer joy.
Billy Porter, the acclaimed Emmy, Grammy, and Tony winner, has returned to the stage for the opening night of New York City Center's Encores! production of La Cage aux Folles. This marks his first significant theatrical engagement since a critical health crisis last year.
Porter, 56, portrays Albin in this all-Black revival, a role he has aspired to play since his youth. He shared that the production, running through June 28, is a "celebration of Black, Queer joy." His return comes after a severe battle with sepsis, triggered by a kidney stone in September 2025, which necessitated life support and emergency procedures.
Having been clinically dead for three days, Porter considers himself a "walking miracle." This profound experience has reshaped his perspective on life and career, filling him with gratitude. He expressed, "I'm so grateful to be alive. I'm so grateful to be back." Porter is also preparing for other projects, including a role in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
