Tony Winner Cleavant Derricks Returns to B'way in Brooklyn

Tony winner Cleavant Derricks is joining the cast of the upcoming Broadway musical Brooklyn. He is replacing David Jennings, who has withdrawn from the production due to surgery that required additional recovery time.

Derricks will assume the role of the Street Singer in Brooklyn. He won the Tony, Drama Desk Award and L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award for his performance as James Thunder Early in Dreamgirls in 1982 and garnered Tony and Drama Desk nominations for his work in Bob Fosse's Big Deal in 1986. His other theatrical credits include Your Arms Too Short to Box With God and the Los Angeles production of The Full Monty. His film credits include Moscow on the Hudson, The Slugger's Wife, Offbeat, Carnival of Souls, Bluffing It and World Traveler. Brooklyn will mark Derrick's return to Broadway after an eighteen year absence.

"We are very saddened that David will not be able to join us on Broadway," Brooklyn 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. I was a fan of Cleavant when I saw him in Dreamgirls and am thrilled to be working with him on Brooklyn.

In addition to Derricks, the cast of Mark Schoenfeld and Barri McPherson's Brooklyn features Kevin Anderson Taylor Collins, Eden Espinosa Brooklyn, Ramona Keller Paradice and Karen Olivo Faith. The cast also includes Manoel Felciano, Caren Lyn Manuel, Julie Reiber, Horace V. Rogers and Haneefah Wood.

Brooklyn will begin performances at Broadway's Plymouth Theatre on September 23 and officially open on October 21.