Sean Combs Will Miss June 16 Shows Due to Illness; Set to Return June 17

By Robert Simonson
June 16, 2004

Sean Combs, aka rap mogul P. Diddy, will not perform at the June 16 matinee and evening performances of Broadway's A Raisin in the Sun. The singer-designer-producer-actor has fallen victim to a stomach ailment. Doctors have instructed him to rest.

Combs is due to return to the production on Thursday, June 17. He also missed the June 15 performance.

Billy Eugene Jones goes on in Combs' place as the passionate son in an African-American family at a crossroads. Jones is a recent graduate of the Yale School of Drama with regional credits at Yale Repertory Theatre, Alliance Theatre and Stage West.

Combs heads a production which won two 2004 Tony Awards. Phylicia Rashad was named Best Actress in a Play and Audra McDonald won the prize for Best Featured Actress in a Play. Their co-star, Sanaa Lathan, was also nominated for a Tony Award, as was the entire production. Kenny Leon directs.

The limited run at the Royale Theatre will end July 11.