Kinky Boots Shakeup! Stark Sands to Depart, Billy Porter Extends, Natalie Joy Johnson Joins & More

The Tony-winning musical Kinky Boots is kicking it into high gear with a bunch of big casting news! Tony-nominated star Stark Sands will depart the production on January 26, 2014, alongside previously announced Tony nominee Annaleigh Ashford, who will depart the show in March to film the next season of Showtime’s Masters of Sex. No replacement for Sands or Ashford has been announced.

But there is a silver lining to this sad news—Tony winner Billy Porter, who plays drag diva Lola, has extended his contract, and will remain with the production through at least July 2014. Natalie Joy Johnson (Legally Blonde) and Abby Mueller (Broadway debut) will join the cast on December 23, 2013, taking over for original ensemble members Tory Ross and Lucia Spina, respectively.

Sands plays overwhelmed factory owner Charlie in Kinky Boots—he garnered a Tony nomination for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his performance. He made his Broadway debut in Journey’s End before rocking out in the original cast of American Idiot.

Porter’s previous Broadway credits include Miss Saigon, Five Guys Named Moe, Grease and Smokey Joe’s Cafe. He won the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his performance as fashionista and drag performer Lola.