Broadway Fans Are Devastated After It's Announced That Josh Groban Will Leave ‘Sweeney Todd’
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Is a huge Broadway star coming back to the Great White Way sooner than we think? If fans of Sweeney Todd have their way, the answer is a resounding yes.
On October 19, the hit Broadway revival devastated folks when they made two huge announcements on Instagram. Posting a photo of the musical's current stars Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford, the social team revealed that the duo would play their final performance on January 14, 2024. Alongside the big news, the show also disclosed that people will have the chance to witness Sweeney Todd long after, because their Broadway run will officially extend into the spring.
"They are finally heading to the seaside," read the official announcement. "Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford will be departing Fleet Street on January 14, but you still have more chances to brave the chair dearie. Our tale is extending into Spring 2024."
While the declaration certainly had longtime fans in shock, many began to pitch who should replace Josh and Annaleigh in their roles as Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett in the comments. Mainly, one name in particular stood out as a perfect replacement for Josh: actor Aaron Tveit, who's famous for his time on Broadway and won the 2021 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for playing Christian in Moulin Rouge!.
"Aaron Tveit is a tenor... Y’all know that right? 🫠🫣," one person wrote, referencing how Sweeney's role requires a person to perform in a tenor singing voice. "You know, if [Aaron] gets cast, he’ll blow your minds away. Just you wait," another replied. "Aaron Tveit...?" a different follower inquired.
While the producers haven't said anything in regards to who will take over for Josh, the New York Post did write that Aaron and actress Sutton Foster joining the show may be imminent. The Schmigadoon! actor also did express his desire to step into the role when he spoke to Spectrum News NY1 back in February about what character he'd love to play next after coming back to Moulin Rouge! earlier this year.
"They're doing it this year — I've always wanted to play Sweeney Todd," he said at the time. "But I still think that's... I can do that for a while."
Additionally, when he spoke to Good Housekeeping in an interview published in June, he relished in the idea of being back on stage once again. "I always just wanted to be somebody who is accepted and seen by their peers in the theater," he said. "No matter all the other work I do, I will always come back, and I will continue to come back."
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