broadwayboy223 said: "Is it possible Barks is just filling in for Annaleigh pre Broadway a la Jeremy Jordon in FN"
Possible, yes! She has been very good about returning to the stage whenever her Hollywood career gives her a chance to. In fact, she has appeared on Broadway every single calendar year since 2013. Now that she is no longer tied up with a television schedule, I could definitely see her wanting to come back in this. I'm assuming Annie has first right of refusal, as Phillipa Soo and Matthew Morrison had with their respective shows. I guess it just depends on her schedule. She's filming two movies right now, but by fall 2018, when the Broadway run is scheduled, she'd surely be done with both films. I'm thinking that the Jennifer Lopez film will finish up in late spring, which is why she can't do the Chicago run. It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Ashford, and I've been dying for her to do a new musical again since "Kinky Boots" - so that would be thrilling for me, especially with this supporting cast. I would also feel bad for Barks, though, she must know going into these projects that it is a possibility. Either way, whatever happens, I'm optimistic about this show.
They/them.
"Get up the nerve to be all you deserve to be."