Chad Kimball Plans Fall Leave of Absence from Memphis

Memphis star Chad Kimball will depart the Tony-winning musical in October for an indefinite leave of absence to heal from nerve damage in his neck. A production spokesperson confirmed reports of Kimball’s plans to leave the show, adding that no replacement has been named.

“We love and support Chad and understand that this was a difficult decision for him to make, but ultimately he needs to do what is best for his health," Memphis producers Sue Frost and Randy Adams told Broadway.com. "We wish him a speedy recovery and are looking forward to the next chapter for Memphis.”

Kimball has played the role of deejay Huey Calhoun since Memphis’s pre-Broadway engagements and received a 2010 Best Actor Tony nomination for the show, which opened on Broadway on October 29, 2009. Kimball and his co-star Montego Glover had signed year-long contract extensions in October 2010, so he would presumably be free to depart the show for good on October 23, the announced date for his leave of absence to begin.