George Hearn Steps into Wizard Role in Wicked

Two-time Tony winner George Hearn will take over as the new Wonderful Wizard of Oz in Wicked. Broadway's original Wizard, Joel Grey, has not performed since the matinee on June 20, and he is now on an extended leave of absence. Understudy Sean McCourt has been playing the role and will continue to do so until Hearn steps in. Hearn will start performances on July 20, the same day Jennifer Laura Thompson and Joey McIntyre begin.

Hearn won Tony Awards for his performances in La Cage aux Folles and Sunset Boulevard. He was also nominated for Tonys for his work in Watch on the Rhine, A Doll's Life and Putting It Together. His other Broadway credits include Sweeney Todd, 1776, The Changing Room, Hamlet, I Remember Mama, Meet Me in St. Louis, Sunset Boulevard and The Diary of Anne Frank. He won an Emmy when Sweeney Todd was aired on PBS. His film credits include See You in the Morning, The Vanishing, Sneakers, The Devil's Own and Barney's Great Adventure.

Wicked currently stars Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel, Norbert Leo Butz, Carole Shelley and Randy Harrison. Chenoweth and Butz are set to leave the show on July 18, to be replaced by Thompson and McIntyre, respectively. Harrison, who has been subbing for Christopher Fitzgerald as the munchkin Boq, will leave on July 25, with Fitzgerald returning two days later.