Tony Winner Derricks Replaces Star of Brooklyn

Tony Award winner Cleavant Derricks, who last appeared on the Broadway stage in Bob Fosse's Big Deal in 1986, is heading to Brooklyn. Derricks is replacing David Jennings in the role of the Street Singer in the musical, currently in rehearsals for a September 23 start at the Plymouth Theatre. Jennings has withdrawn from the production due to surgery that required additional recovery time.

"We are very saddened that David will not be able to join us on Broadway," director Jeff Calhoun said in a statement. "Having been with us from the very first workshop, he is an important part of this production. We wish David a speedy recovery and hope to work with him in the future."

Derricks won the a Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award and an L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award for his performance as James Thunder Early in the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls. He won a second nomination four years later for his work in Big Deal. Other Broadway credits include Hair, But Never Jam Today and Your Arms Too Short to Box With God. More recently, he was seen in the Los Angeles production of The Full Monty, earning an NAACP Theatre Award for his acclaimed turn. On the big screen, Derricks has appeared in Moscow on the Hudson, The Slugger's Wife, Offbeat, Carnival of Souls, Bluffing It and World Traveler.

Brooklyn also stars Kevin Anderson, Eden Espinosa, Ramona Keller and Karen Olivo. The musical, the first of the fall season, is expected to start previews on September 23 and open on October 21 at the Plymouth Theatre.