A spokesperson for Wicked confirmed that Butz will leave his role July 18 to be part of the Old Globe Theatre's production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels this fall. The Wicked representative also said that former New Kids on the Block star, Joey McIntyre, is "in conversations" to replace Butz.

Norbert Leo Butz made his Broadway debut as Roger in Jonathan Larson's Rent. He earned a Tony nomination for his work in the short-lived musical Thou Shalt Not and appeared Off-Broadway in The Last Five Years. He also portrayed the Emcee in the national tour of Cabaret.

Wicked would mark the Broadway debut for former pop star Joey McIntyre. McIntyre has appeared Off-Broadway in tick, tick . . . BOOM! and in the Los Angeles Reprise! mounting of Babes in Arms. He was also seen in the film version of Jones and Schmidt's The Fantasticks.

With a score by Stephen Schwartz, a book by Winnie Holzman and direction by Joe Mantello, Wicked features choreography by Wayne Cilento and plays the Gershwin Theatre, 222 West 51st Street. Tickets are available by calling (212) 307-4100 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.