In addition to the departures of Adam Pascal and Fredi Walker from Rent on Nov. 2 (to be replaced by Norbert Leo Butz and Gwen Stewart, respectively), original cast members Byron Utley and Rodney Hicks have also left the smash musical in recent weeks. Their roles are now being played by Mario Burrell and Darryl Ordell. Timothy Britten Parker is currently on hiatus; his roles are currently being played by Mark Setlock.
Madonna, Cher, Jewel...Spring? The gypsy formerly known as Wendy Springer has adopted the one name moniker while she continues in the ensemble of Grease! Other news from the Eugene O'Neill Theatre: Billy Porter has left the role of Teen Angel and has been replaced by André Garner.
The cast of the original Drama Dept. production of As Bees in Honey Drown has undergone considerable turnover since the Douglas Carter Beane comedy premiered in June. Remaining from the Off-off-Broadway production are T. Scott Cunningham and J. Smith-Cameron, whose celebrated performance as con-artist Alexa Vere de Vere is the centerpiece of the hit satire. Replacement cast members include Bo Foxworth, Tracie Jade, Jeffrey Hayenga, and Amy Ryan. Ryan was last seen on Broadway as Calista Flockhart's replacement in Three Sisters. Original Bees cast member Sandra Daley can currently be seen Off-Broadway in Defying Gravity, in previews at the American Place Theatre.
Mark Kudisch is once again playing Gaston in Beauty and the Beast after taking a hiatus to co-star in the San Francisco tryout of High Society.
John Shea is subbing for Bruce Davison in How I Learned to Drive from Oct. 28 to Nov. 23. The Oscar-nominated Longtime Companion actor is on hiatus to film a movie. While Ernie Sabella fills in for Joel Grey in Chicago through Nov. 9, Bob Amaral is playing Lycus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
Judith Blazer takes a one week vacation from Titanic the week of Nov. 4. Lisa Datz moves up from playing Madeline Astor to cover for Blazer.
As first reported in Andrew Gans' DIVA TALK column, Alix Korey will succeed Michelle Pawk as Betty Buckley's standby in Triumph of Love. Korey's first day as standby will be Nov. 3, and her first scheduled performance will be Nov. 7.
Milton Craig Nealy has departed Miss Saigon; the role of John is now being played by Leonard Joseph.
