Off-Broadway’s Signature Theatre Company has canceled several performances of Stephen Adly Guirgis’ Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train due to a company member battling a medical issue. After beginning previews October 5, the production halted shows from October 7 with plans to do so through October 12.
Pulitzer Prize winner Guirgis tweeted that the cast had “been through hell” and that a lead actor would be replaced. The playwright's tweet tagged cast members Edi Gathegi and Ricardo Chavira.
As previously reported, Gathegi had replaced Reg E. Cathey prior to previews starting due to scheduling conflicts.
This cast has been thru hell. But they are all heart! Replace the lead in 2 days? No problem. #TrueWarriors @RicardoAChavira @iamedigathegi pic.twitter.com/erCoftNhVc
— Stephen Adly Guirgis (@CookieRiverside) October 11, 2017
Representatives for the Signature Theatre declined to comment at this time. Check back for updates.
The Signature revival of Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train marks the first New York City revival of the play since its critically acclaimed debut in 2000.
Mark Brokaw directs a cast made up of—in addition to Screen Actors Guild Award winner Chavira and Gathegi—Erick Betancourt (Julius Caesar), Stephanie DiMaggio (A Confederacy of Dunces), and Victor Rasuk (How to Make It in America).
Set inside Rikers Island, Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train follows Angel Cruz, a 30-year-old bicycle messenger awaiting trial for the death of the leader of a religious cult. Inside prison, Angel is befriended by a charismatic serial killer named Lucius Jenkins, a born-again believer who will change the course of Angel’s life forever.
The production is currently scheduled to open officially October 23 on the Irene Diamond Stage.
