Lea Michele, who had been cast as Eponine in the forthcoming Broadway revival of Les Miserables, has dropped out of the production, a spokesperson confirmed. Her decision opens the way for her to remain with the Broadway-bound company of Spring Awakening, in which she played the leading role of Wendla.
Michele's romantic partner in Spring Awakening, Jonathan Groff, has also backed out of a fall revival: He had been announced to play Jesus in Godspell at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Instead, he will recreate the role of Melchior in the Duncan Sheik/Steven Sater coming-of-age musical.
As previously reported, the producers of Spring Awakening announced that Michael Mayer's production would move to Broadway this season after its successful summertime run at off-Broadway's Atlantic Theater Company. No timetable or theater has been set.
Les Miserables is set to begin previews on October 24, with an official opening date of November 9 at the Broadhurst Theatre. The role of Eponine is expected to be recast in the next two weeks, according to the production spokesperson.