"As the show developed in rehearsal over the course of the past three weeks, it was mutually agreed that a different actor would be better suited for the role of Captain Arab," a production spokesperson confirmed about the depature.
Sesma — who last appeared at the Globe in 1992's The Winter’s Tale— has appeared on Broadway in Man of La Mancha, Search and Destroy, Chu Chem, Nick & Nora, La Cage Aux Folles and the national tours of Miss Saigon and Titanic. Other credits include Othello (NYSF/Public, Cymbeline (NYSF/Delacorte), In a Pig’s Valise and BabaGoya (Second Stage), As Thousands Cheer (Drama Dept) and Rashomon (Roundabout Theatre).
Movin' Out creator Tharp directs and choreographs the project set to the music of the legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. The Times They Are A-Changin' plays at the Old Globe Theatre Jan. 25-March 5 with an official opening Feb. 9.
The Times They Are A-Changin' is "set within a low-rent traveling circus run by Capt. Arab (Sesma), whose wagon hasn't moved from its location in some time – though not by lack of effort from his ragtag band of clowns and performers," a release states. "One such performer is the animal trainer Cleo (Colella), a young woman exploited by Capt. Arab and loved by his son, Coyote (Arden). Coyote longs for a world outside the confines of the family business, and as the circus show plays out, he must decide whether to flee or stay, and if he does stay, how to inspire change within the troupe."
Arden, Colella and Sesma are joined in the ensemble by Justin Bohon, Joshua Dean, Albert Guerzon, Charlie Hodges, Doug Kreeger, Marty Lawson, Tamara Levinson, Jason McDole, Jonathan Nosan, Joseph Putignano, Sean Stewart, Jackie Seiden and Thom Sesma. Arden last appeared on Broadway as Tom Sawyer in the Roundabout Theatre Company's presentation of the Deaf West Theatre sign language production of Big River. Other credits include Swimming in the Shallows, Bare, Harold & Maude and It’s Only Life Off-Broadway.
Colella scooted her boots in the Broadway musical version of Urban Cowboy. She also appeared in The Great American Trailer Park Musical at NYMF and Slut.
The design team for The Times They Are A-Changin' features Santo Loquasto (scenic and costume) and Donald Holder (lighting). Musical direction, orchestrations and arrangements are handled by Michael Dansicker. Artie Gaffin serves as production stage manager:
Tickets for The Times They Are A-Changin' are available by calling Globe Ticket Services at (619) 23-GLOBE or at the Globe Box Office, 1363 Old Globe Way in San Diego's Balboa Park. For more information, visit www.theoldglobe.org.
