"Wayne had several conflicts in his schedule early on that we were able to accommodate," Wiz director Des McAnuff Jersey Boys said in a statement. "However, as we got further into the preparation of The Wiz, a previously agreed-to project of Wayne's was rescheduled, creating a conflict during The Wiz rehearsal period. It was, sadly, insurmountable. We were very enthusiastic about having him on the project, but we have to part ways. We've enjoyed our time with him and wish him great success in his burgeoning career."
The Wiz also features Nikki M. James as Dorothy, David Alan Grier as The Wiz, Tituss Burgess as The Lion, Michael Benjamin Washington as the Tin Man, E. Faye Butler as Evilene, Albert Blaise Cattafi as Toto, Heather Lee as Addaperle, Orville Mendoza as Uncle Henry and Valarie Pettiford as Aunt Em/Glinda. It will open at the Mandell Weiss Theatre at La Jolla Playhouse on October 11 and run through November 12.