‘COMET’ FAIL
Patinkin shuns B’way lead amid race flap
MANDY PATINKIN won’t be joining the cast of “Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812” after all — putting the Broadway show at risk of closing.
The Tony-winning veteran took to Twitter Friday to announce he had decided not to take over the role of Pierre from black actor Okieriete (Oak) Onaodowan (photo right inset), who was supposed to finish his nine-week run in the musical on Sept. 4 — until producers decided to bring in Patinkin to boost sagging ticket sales.
Patinkin’s hiring had sparked a backlash among many in the theater community who saw the move as an actor of color being pushed aside for a “name” white actor.
On Friday, Patinkin (photo left) tweeted that he agreed with those opposed to his casting.
“My understanding of the show’s request that I step into the show is not as it has been portrayed and I would never accept a role knowing it would harm another actor,” he tweeted. “I hear what members of the community have said and I agree with them. I am a huge fan of Oak and I will, therefore, not be appearing in the show.”
“Great Comet” composer Dave Malloy confirmed on Twitter Friday the decision to hire Patinkin was an effort to bring in a name actor to help the box office after Ingrid Michaelson, currently starring as Sonya, finishes her run next month.
Patinkin, 64, who currently costars in TV’s “Homeland,” won the Tony in 1980 for best featured actor in a musical for his role as Che in “Evita.”
“The show was in desperate shape; sales after ingrid leaving Aug 13 were catastrophically low. show would have closed. it’s a weird show. turns out it needs a name to sell it...I am not sure that the show has a future now,” Malloy wrote.
“Great Comet,” based on a section of Leo Tolstoy’s “War and Peace,” opened on Broadway in November and was nominated for 12 Tonys, including best musical. It won for scenic design and lighting design.
Onaodowan, who also costarred in “Hamilton,” tweeted Friday that he would not be returning to “Great Comet” after his final performance on Aug. 13.