de Shields sets departure from HADESTOWN

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 8:44am

André De Shields announces final Broadway performance in 'Hadestown'" by Broadway News' Caitlin Huston - "André De Shields will play his final performance in "Hadestown" on May 29, the production said Monday. … “It was the privilege of a lifetime to work with André, our original Broadway Hermes. What can I say? He blessed us all. He blessed the character, the show, and the community with the full force of his majestic self," said "Hadestown" creator Anaïs Mitchell. … Casting for his replacement will be announced at a later date. https://broadwaynews.com/2022/04/11/andre-de-shields-announces-final-broadway-performance-in-hadestown/#.YlQiitNwah8.link

[ecc608]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 9:03am

Bummed to hear this, I never got the chance to see Andre in this show, but I saw Trent Saunders on for Hermes in March and he was fantastic. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 9:11am

Wonder who'll they bring in to replace him?

[Wick3]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 9:14am

Such an amazing actor! I wish him well and hope to see him perform again in whichever project he chooses to do!

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 9:23am

ecc608 said: "Bummed to hear this, I never got the chance to see Andre in this show, but I saw Trent Saunders on for Hermes in March and he was fantastic."

He didn’t leave yet so you have until May 29 to revisit the show.  

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 9:24am

Sad, but he's been with this show for a very long time. I feel it will be hard for him to leave such a beautiful character behind, but the show must go on. I had the privilege of seeing his performance as Hermes and it was truly one of a kind! Whoever replaces him will have BIG shoes to fill. Congrats though to Andre! He had one hell of a ride (no pun intended)!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 9:32am

When i went back a few weeks ago I was bummed Andre was out but I got to see Trent who just blew me away. dude’s voice is insane! 
 

[ecc608]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 9:33am

BrodyFosse123 said: "ecc608 said: "Bummed to hear this, I never got the chance to see Andre in this show, but I saw Trent Saunders on for Hermes in March and he was fantastic."

He didn’t leave yet so you have until May 29 to revisit the show. "

That is true! However, I live pretty far from NYC so it would be hard to get there, unfortunately. Should have made that clear earlier.

[yyys]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 9:39am

I saw Hadestown twice and he was out both times.  

[Alexander Lamar]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 9:41am

Got my tickets for both shows that day. Was hoping he’d extend with an official alternate. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 9:48am

How about a woman as Hermes?

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 9:55am

My hope, based on his leaving the show, is that he’s playing The Wizard in the Wicked movie. 🙃 

[Nolan LuPone]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 9:59am

Each time I've been to Hadestown, he's been out I don't live in the city, so I won't be able to see him. Best of luck to Andre on future endeavors (Wicked movie perhaps?). Hoping for Chris Sullivan or T. Oliver to replace him.

Updated On: 4/11/22 at 09:59 AM

[willep]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 10:04am

I loved Sullivan in the role at NYTW. I feel the character has changed quite a bit since then, but I certainly wouldn’t be opposed to seeing him return.

[Globefan]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 10:19am

I hope he's The Wizard in the Wicked movie 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 10:33am

Globefan said: "I hope he's The Wizard in the Wicked movie"

It would be a horrible waste of a star-friendly role. Manage your expectations.

[Nolan LuPone]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 10:41am

Globefan said: "I hope he's The Wizard in the Wicked movie"

I would prefer Nathan Lane

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 10:52am

Sad to hear this, but excited for the future. I've had the privilege to see him twice and will hopefully see him once more on May 4th. He truly commands that stage. 

I am, however, very excited to see who they bring in to replace him! I'd love to see someone radically different who truly makes the role their own because anyone trying to impersonate Andre will fail. A non-male performer would be SUPER interesting to see, but I'm not sure they'll go that route. 

[darquegk]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 11:48am

I’d love to see Tom Waits take a crack at it. And after listening to the Play On podcast, I think Keith David could make a really good Hades.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 12:28pm

Blessed to have seen him twice. What a portrayal.

[mcsquared]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 1:03pm

Wow, I already had a ticket for May 29 evening performance so guess I will be seeing his last show. Glad I snapped that up in time.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 1:10pm

The performance of a lifetime. 
“The top of one mountain is the bottom of the next, so keep climbing.”

[Lot666]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 2:03pm

I think Billy Porter would do a fine job with this role.

[Agentcarter926]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 2:46pm

Anyone know if his final performance will be the 2pm or the 7:30pm that day?

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 3:46pm

Agentcarter926 said: "Anyone know if his final performance will be the 2pm or the 7:30pm that day?"

I don't have any reason to believe it would NOT be the 7:30.