The ads with the drastically reduced figures and backs to the audience feel designed to de-emphasize Criss without outright announcing his absence. Okay, fair enough. To a point. This tracks with refusing to announce the recast on the show's website as late at 2 p.m. on Labor Day, circa 36 hours before his first performance. Feldman's casting with a photo didn't appear on the webpage promoting ticket sales until Tuesday (this inspired a full real time thread on ATC, documenting the timeline; check it out). It's been dreadfully handled, by any yardstick, and it is not the fault of any of the actors (with the caveat that Criss is a producer).
This is an achingly beautiful show, one that appeals to every demographic. My friends from Arizona in their early 80s saw it April and pronounced it the best of 6 shows seen on their annual trip. It has had a groundswell of good will, through the Tonys. Considering the dearth of shows that are both artistic and commercial successes, all of this is as heartbreaking as it is maddening.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling