A spokesperson for the musical confirmed that Butz, who was last in the show Nov. 23, has been unable to return to the Stephen Schwartz musical because of back problems. Although there has been improvement in his condition, the actor, who portrays Fiyero in the musical, is not yet ready to return to the show. In Butz's absence, Kristoffer Cusick will continue to play the role of Glinda and Elphaba's love interest. Cusick, a Los Angeles native, starred in the first national tour of Rent as well as the original Broadway company of Saturday Night Fever.

Wicked, which officially opened Oct. 30, stars former Renter Idina Menzel as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West and Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda. The cast also includes Tony and Academy Award winner Joel Grey as The Wizard, Carole Shelley as Madame Morrible, Michelle Federer as Nessarose, Christopher Fitzgerald as Boq and William Youmans as Doctor Dillamand.

With a book by Winnie Holzman and direction by Joe Mantello — a 2003 Tony Award winner for last season’s Take Me Out — Wicked features choreography by Wayne Cilento. Tickets are available by calling (212) 307-4100 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.