Nikki Renée Daniels, who plays Jenny in Broadway's Company, will take on the role of Bobbie for both performances on March 30, making her the first Black person to play the character in Broadway history. Leading performer Katrina Lenk will miss both performances that day due to a positive COVID-19 test result.
"I’m so thrilled to be making my Bobbie debut in @CompanyBway today! I’ll be on for both shows!" wrote Daniels on Twitter.
Daniels' previous roles include playing Angelica Schuyler in the Chicago company of Hamilton, as well as starring in Broadway productions of The Book of Mormon, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, Anything Goes, and Promises, Promises
I’m so thrilled to be making my Bobbie debut in @CompanyBway today! I’ll be on for both shows! #firstBlackBobbie #LetsGooo pic.twitter.com/ox3qpavStk
— Nikki Renee Daniels (@nikkireneesings) March 30, 2022
Commenting on her absence, Lenk wrote on Instagram: "Got a positive test result in today's routine testing. While we wait on further test results, I am wishing our cast - especially @nikkireneesings- a wonderful 2 show day!! You're gonna be superb. Our incredible understudies, stage management, and associate directors are heroes."
This news comes after a cast switch-up earlier this month when Patti LuPone came down with COVID-19 and missed 10 performances. During her absence, Tony nominee Jennifer Simard, who plays Sarah, went on as Joanne.
While Daniels is the first Black Bobbie on Broadway, Olivier winner Adrian Lester played the character of Bobby in Donmar Warehouse's 1995 production of Company, becoming the first Black man to lead a role in a Stephen Sondheim musical.
READ: See Patti LuPone Take Her First Curtain Call Back at Company on Broadway
Following the COVID-19 Broadway shutdown, Marianne Elliott's gender-swapped production of Company resumed previews at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre November 15 before officially opening December 9.
Telling the story of New York bachelorette Bobbie, the classic includes the popular songs “You Could Drive a Person Crazy,” “The Ladies Who Lunch,” and “Being Alive.” In addition to the aforementioned roles, it stars Matt Doyle as Jamie, Tony nominee Christopher Fitzgerald as David, Tony nominee Christopher Sieber as Harry, Terence Archie as Larry, Etai Benson as Paul, Claybourne Elder as Andy, Greg Hildreth as Peter, Rashidra Scott as Susan, Bobby Conte as P.J., and Manu Narayan as Theo.
