Broadway star Billy Porter says 'Black people have replaced the Jews' while promoting revival of 'Cabaret'

Actor Billy Porter said "Black people have replaced the Jews" in today's world during an interview on Monday about his revival of the musical "Cabaret" with actors of color.

Cabaret's original plot portrays a nightclub in Berlin as the Nazis rise to power in the late 1920s and early 1930s, and has several prominent Jewish characters.

Porter described the production as "a call to action" for audiences.

"I hope this piece is when you come to see it, you know, it lights a fire under booties, so that we can remind ourselves that love always wins, and all we have to do is get out in the streets and do our work," he continued.

"CBS Mornings" anchor Gayle King agreed, remarking, "We need that reminder."

"I'm sorry- Black people have WHAT??" he wrote in response to the clip. His post reached over one million views in 48 hours.

Porter also told CBS that he was turned down from auditioning for the role in the late 1990s but feels like getting the part now is timely.

"With the state of the world right now and with art as my activism, as my resistance, I'm right where I'm supposed to be for this piece," he said.