See Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin in First Rehearsal Photos for Broadway's “Cabaret ”Revival (Exclusive)

Redmayne and Rankin's casting in the revival was first announced back in October 2023

The Cabaret countdown is on!

PEOPLE has an exclusive glimpse at rehearsals for the upcoming Broadway revival, which stars Gayle Rankin as Sally Bowles and Eddie Redmayne as the Emcee.

In one snapshot, Redmayne, 42, and Rankin, 34, smiled at something off camera, while dressed fashionably. The Oscar and Tony winner wore a patterned zip-up sweater and dark slacks, while the House of the Dragon actress rocked a black vest over matching wide-leg pants and a beret.

A second photo showed the pair with a bit more serious expressions on their faces, turned away from the camera as Redmayne put his arm around his costar's shoulders.

Cabaret will be directed by the West End production's director, Rebecca Frecknall, and begin playing in previews at the August Wilson Theatre on April 1, with an official opening April 21. The show features a book by Joe Masteroff, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb.

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Cabaret tells the story of Sally Bowles, an English cabaret performer who performs at the Kit Kat Club in Berlin between World Wars I and II, and explores related themes of the time period as well as life at the club.

The show first opened on Broadway in 1966 and the West End in 1968, and has enjoyed several revivals since — most recently in 2021 for London and 2014 in New York City.

The Emcee is not new to Redmayne, as he played the role from 2021 to 2022 in London during the West End revival.

In a statement in October 2023, the Fantastic Beasts actor said his experience with the character goes back more than two decades, when he played the Emcee in a student production of Cabaret.

Noting that his "love for theater was properly ignited" then, Redmayne added, "It now feels completely thrilling and a little surreal to be a part of Rebecca's truly unique vision of Masteroff, Kander, and Ebb's brilliance as it arrives on Broadway, where the piece has such a history."

Related: Eddie Redmayne Is Reprising His London Cabaret Role on Broadway: 'Thrilling and a Little Surreal'

Frecknall said in a statement at the time that she is "so excited to be reuniting with Eddie as our devilishly seductive Emcee, the metaphorical soul of Berlin."

"I cannot wait to dive into rehearsals with Gayle, a fearless actor of supreme talent, as she explores Cabaret's magnetic core, the breathtaking and heartbreaking Sally Bowles," she added.

Redmayne also gave props to Scottish actress Rankin, saying he was "beyond excited to be doing it arm-in-arm" with her, as well as "a truly stunning cast and team."

"I am hoping we will create an experience for you quite unlike any other," he added.

Tickets for Cabaret on Broadway are on sale now at kitkat.club.

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