Popcultureboy...I'm not exactly questioning what you are saying because you sound like a reasonable person with a good source, but I was at the show Tuesday night and several of the cast members said upon leaving that Michael could be in as early as Thursday. You say he was targeting Thursday for a return, but is still in the UK. If the cast heard Tuesday evening that he might be back Thursday (and they did, because no one had heard that going in Thursday in the afternoon) I doubt that he was still in the UK. That would mean traveling on Weds. with the idea of being back on stage on Thursday...accounting for jetlag and the virus he's been fighting that seems highly unlikely.
At any rate, I'm glad to hear that Daniel Marcus did well. I enjoyed Norman Larges' performance...he did really well with the comedic parts although I thought he lacked the underlying "menace" that Michael brings to the role. But overall, he did a really good job filling in under tough cirumstances (as have all of the understudies in this show). It's a great cast...please everyone, give this show a chance!
"Take Care! When I am thwarted I am very terrible!"