Sean Carvajal has joined the cast of Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train at Off-Broadway's Signature Theatre Company. The actor replaces Victor Rasuk, stepping in following a halt in preview performances October 7–12.
Rasuk is departing the production due to “personal reasons,” according to representatives for the show; Carvajal assumes the role of Angel Cruz.
As previously reported, performances were canceled over the weekend and earlier this week after Signature announced that a cast member was facing a medical issue. Stephen Adly Guirgis’ drama is now set to resume with Carvajal October 14 at 2 PM.
Read: JESUS HOPPED THE ‘A’ TRAIN CANCELS PERFORMANCES, PREPARES FOR CAST CHANGE
This is the second time the Signature production has undergone a cast change, with Edi Gathegi stepping in to replace Reg E. Cathey prior to previews starting due to scheduling conflicts. The first performance was pushed back two days following the announcement.
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 Gathegi and Carvajal—Ricardo Chavira, Erick Betancourt, and Stephanie DiMaggio.
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 still scheduled to open officially October 23 on the Irene Diamond Stage.