Kevin Anderson Abruptly Leaves Brooklyn for Film Role

Kevin Anderson abruptly left the Broadway musical Brooklyn after the February 6 performance to film the upcoming big screen adaptation of Charlotte's Web. According to a production spokesperson he will return to the musical on February 19.

Rumors swirled over the weekend that Anderson had left the production for good, amid industry chatter producers were trying to stunt cast the role with Patrick Swayze among the list of actors who have passed. When contacted Monday, a spokesperson for the show said that, to the best of his knowledge, Anderson was still with the production and was expected onstage Tuesday, February 8 and throughout the week. However, upon checking, he confirmed that Anderson had left, but only for a pre-scheduled vacation, which would end February 19. A representative for the actor told Broadway.com that he would also be filming Charlotte's Web which recently began production in Australia for a good part of March, though he has no official dates off from Brooklyn during that month.

Anderson's departure comes at an unfortunate time. In a letter dated January 27, the producers of Brooklyn invited Tony voters back to the Plymouth Theatre to see their show anytime before March 20. This means many voters conceivably won't see Anderson an original cast member and former Tony nominee, who is eligible to be nominated in the Best Supporting Actor in a Musical category.

Understudy Lee Morgan, who starred in the show's world premiere at the Denver Civic Theater, will play Taylor Collins while Anderson is away. Brooklyn also stars Eden Espinosa, Cleavant Derricks, Ramona Keller and Karen Olivo.