Emma Stone’s experience in her Cabaret Broadway role proved to be a transformative chapter in her already distinguished career, as she confronted personal uncertainties and rediscovered her core passion for acting while performing in New York’s iconic theater scene. Taking on the role of Sally Bowles in the 2014 Broadway revival acted as a pivotal moment, challenging and reshaping her artistic identity on and off the stage.
Facing Doubts Despite Early Success
Though Emma Stone had already achieved widespread acclaim, including two Academy Awards and the admiration of renowned artists, she struggled internally with doubts about her work and the weight of external expectations. Despite her accolades and public praise, she often found herself distracted by the opinions of others, wrestling with insecurities about her path and choices in her profession.
“I was letting a lot of outside opinion permeate me. I thought I needed to do certain things or be a certain way,”
Emma Stone said, reflecting on how external pressures affected her approach to acting. — Emma Stone, Actress
These feelings intensified to the point where she contemplated stepping away from film work by the time she was 25, searching for an opportunity to reconnect with the art form she once cherished. Cabaret offered exactly that—a stage where she could immerse herself completely, free from distraction or self-doubt, in order to truly rediscover her own motivations.
A Defining Moment on Broadway
Stone’s transition to Broadway happened when Michelle Williams exited the production of Cabaret, which was created by Rob Marshall and Sam Mendes. Throughout her life, Stone had held a strong desire to portray Sally Bowles—ever since her childhood, when she fell for the magic of the musical. Upon securing the part, Stone’s performance became much more than just a professional milestone; it was a return to the essence of her love for performing.
“I started understanding, in a real way, it’s not about the outside-in, it really is about the inside-out. You realise that you have to love what you do more than you love what people say about what you do,”
she shared, highlighting the inner transformation brought about by her stage experience. — Emma Stone, Actress
This role proved to be a crucial turning point, reigniting her interest and confidence in acting. Stone has described how playing Sally Bowles helped her build a renewed sense of self and clarity about her purpose, guiding her away from external validation and closer to personal artistic fulfillment.
The Legacy and Challenge of Sally Bowles
Sally Bowles, the lead character in Cabaret, is a role with a rich history, previously portrayed by legends such as Judi Dench and Liza Minnelli. The character originated from Christopher Isherwood’s novella “Goodbye to Berlin,” was brought to life on stage by “I Am a Camera,” and ultimately reached global recognition through the musical Cabaret. Blending personal longing with the political atmosphere of Weimar Germany, Sally’s pursuit of fame in uncertain times resonated with Stone’s own feelings of doubt and ambition.
Taking on such an iconic figure was a major step for Stone, requiring her to confront her own vulnerabilities as she stepped onto the Broadway stage. The performance allowed her to express a blend of hope and desperation—emotions that mirrored the character’s drive to make a mark in a troubled world, as well as Stone’s own journey to find meaning through artistry.
Lasting Impact on Stone’s Career
To this day, Cabaret remains Emma Stone’s only stage credit, yet its impact on her career is undeniable. The experience grounded her during a period of intense questioning and helped cultivate the self-assured performer she is now regarded as in Hollywood and on Broadway. The lessons she learned from embodying Sally Bowles continue to inform her approach to both life and work, as she joins the lineage of extraordinary actors who have taken on the role. The collaboration with Sam Mendes and Rob Marshall, alongside following in the footsteps of Michelle Williams, added depth to Stone’s transformative journey on Broadway.
As Stone’s Broadway debut in Cabaret fades into history, its influence clearly endures—not only as a standout achievement for her but also as a testament to the power of theater to inspire self-reflection, courage, and renewal for even the most celebrated artists.
Emma Stone explains how she was done with film at only 25 years old and how Carabet helped her love acting again. pic.twitter.com/QrbRXd8qyv
— best of emma stone (@badpostestone) February 6, 2024
emma stone as sally bowles in cabaret on broadway pic.twitter.com/UjlHxxnZEd
— louise (@stonedemms) September 29, 2021
