Hugh Jackman replaced in Broadway show

• X-Men star Hugh Jackman has pulled out of Broadway performances of The Music Man.
• He tested positive for Covid, the same drug that forced the production to be postponed in December 2021.
• Back-up Max Clayton will step in for Jackman’s absence.

Hugh Jackman has been forced to pull out of Broadway performances of The Music Man after testing positive for Covid.

The X-Men star shared the news on Twitter yesterday (June 13), but assured fans that his back-up actor Max Clayton will fill in for Jackman’s absence.

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“I’ve frustratingly tested positive for Covid. Again,” the actor tweeted, referring to a previous positive test in December 2021 that forced the Broadway production to be postponed.

“My standby, the amazingly talented Max Clayton will step in for me. Maxi and all the standbys, swings and understudies around the world, you are the true heroes of theatre. You give life to the saying ‘the show must go on’.”

The tweet came with a video apology from the Wolverine actor, in which he apologised to fans.

“Unfortunately this morning I have frustratingly tested positive for Covid, again,” Jackman said in the clip, before promising fans the “show must go on” and saying they will be left in the hands of his “incredible standby Max Clayton”.

“Max and I have been working together on this show for over two years, and on this part, and I can tell you from being in the room with him, he is absolutely extraordinary,” he added.

I’ve frustratingly tested positive for Covid. Again. My standby, the amazingly talented Max Clayton will step in for me. Maxi and all the standbys, swings and understudies around the world, you are the true heroes of theater. You give life to the saying “the show must go on”. pic.twitter.com/GpwtreWqX0

— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) June 13, 2022

The actor went on to explain that he was sorry he couldn’t be there to support Max and that he missed being with the cast and crew.

“This is just another reminder to me, I’ll say it a million times over that the real heroes of Broadway are our standbys, our understudies and swings, and never has that been more obvious than in the past year,” he continued.

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“They give meaning to the phrase ‘the show must go on’, and it will go on and it will be amazing.”

The announcement comes only one day after Jackman and his co-star Sutton Foster performed a performance from The Music Man at the 75th Tony Awards in New York on Sunday, June 13.