Tony Award-winner J. Harrison Ghee is out and Birmingham’s DeMarius R. Copes is in as the lead of “Some Like It Hot” on Broadway.
Ghee reported on Instagram that they will be out of the show for at least six weeks for surgery. Copes, who has been Ghee’s understudy and filled in for them from time to time already, will star as Jerry/Daphne in Ghee’s absence.
“I hope that you will continue to support the incredible cast of ‘Some Like It Hot’ at the Shubert Theatre and go see the incredible DeMarius Copes, who will be taking over the role while I am out,” Ghee said on Instagram. “I got a wonderful opportunity to see him do the role, and I’m so incredibly proud of my friend for showing up, living out loud, and filling this role with all of them.”
“Some Like It Hot,” adapted from the 1959 film starring Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis as two musicians who disguise themselves as women to outfox the mafia, also stars Christian Borle.
Copes, who appeared on stage in Birmingham at the Virginia Samford Theatre, Red Mountain Theatre and Shades Valley High School, has appeared in the national tour of “Hamilton,” on Broadway in “Mean Girls” and in the film version of “Dear Evan Hansen,” among other shows.
