“Straight White Men” has replaced the actor in the role of Ed for the second time in its run.
Stephen Payne will replace Denis Arndt in the role, as Arndt has left the production due to “creative differences.” Arndt joined the cast the week of June 25, as the replacement for Tom Skerritt, who left the show “for personal reasons,” however Arndt never went on.
Payne, originally cast as an understudy, has been playing the role since the show began previews on June 3.
The first preview date for “Straight White Men” had been pushed back one day, to June 30, to allow additional rehearsal time for Arndt.
The recasting will not change the show’s scheduled opening date of July 23, according to press representatives for the show.
The play, written by Young Jean Lee, is directed by Anna D. Shapiro and produced by Second Stage Theater. Second Stage said it had no further comment on the two departures.
The production also features Kate Bornstein, Josh Charles, Ty Defoe, Armie Hammer, and Paul Schneider. In the play, described as “father-son drama,” Ed is the father who gathers his three adult sons on Christmas Eve.
Payne has appeared on Broadway in “Of Mice and Men,” “Superior Donuts” and “August: Osage County.”
