Steve Kazee Explains His Early Once Departure, Thanks Fans in Emotional Blog Post

Steve Kazee has finally broken his silence about his almost two month-long hiatus from the Tony-winning musical Once, taking to his blog to write an explanatory post dedicated to his fans.

The Tony winner’s contract with the show ended on March 24, but Kazee had not been able to perform in the role that won him the Best Actor in a Musical trophy since suffering a vocal injury on February 6. In the blog post, Kazee revealed that he has been on vocal rest since the injury; despite planning to extend his Once contract through September, he was advised by his doctor that returning to the role posed too high of a risk of permanent vocal damage.

“I am truly sorry that I wasn’t able to be there to finish out this run as I know many of you came to see the original cast of Once. I hope you can understand that I was just as disappointed to not be able to perform for you,” Kazee wrote in his touching apology.

A frequent Twitter and Instagram user, Kazee had not posted on social media since February 14; out of respect for his fans, he wisely opted to remain off of social media until after what would have been his final performance.

“I would have felt awful to know that one of you was at the show and I wasn’t there and then when you returned home you found copious tweets from me about The Walking Dead or some other random bit of banal business from my day,” he wrote.

The ever-gracious Kazee ended things on a happy note, though, praising his co-stars for their emotional support and the legions of fans who wished him well during his recovery.

“I am one of you. I am a fan. A fan of Broadway, theater, film/TV, music, art and all those who create it. It is that same fandom that I saw in your eyes, heard in your words, felt in your hugs, and sometimes tears, that will stay with me forever,” he wrote. “This show and everyone involved in it…and you, the audience, mean the world to me and I consider myself to be YOUR fan as well. Thank you for everything. I love you all.”

And we love YOU, Steve! You were Broadway.com's Star of the Year for a reason!