Actor Taran Killam is exiting the Broadway production of Urinetown after losing his home in last week’s devastating Palisades Fire, PEOPLE has confirmed.
“Unfortunately, Taran Killam, previously announced to play the role of Lockstock, has been impacted by the devastating fires in Los Angeles and is no longer able to participate in the production,” the New York City Center announced in an email to theater ticket holders.
According to BroadwayWorld, Greg Hildreth will be replacing Killam in the role of Officer Lockstock in the Encores! production, which also stars Jenni Barber (Little Becky Two Shoes, Mrs. Millenium), Josh Breckenridge (Senator Fipp), Yeman Brown (Billy Boy Bill), Kevin Cahoon (Old Man Strong, Hot Blades Harry), Christopher Fitzgerald (Officer Barrel) Pearl Scarlett Gold (Little Sally), Jeff Hiller (Mr. McQueen), Tiffany Mann (Soupy Sue), Daniel Quadrino (Robby the Stockfish), Graham Rowat (Ensemble, Officer Lockstock on Feb 14), Myra Lucretia Taylor (Josephine Strong), Rainn Wilson (Caldwell B. Cladwell), and John Yi (Tiny Tom), Jordan Fisher (Bobby Strong), Keala Settle (Penelope Pennywise), and Stephanie Styles (Hope Cladwell).
Killam, 42, previously expressed his excitement in joining the production. In a Dec. 4 Instagram post, the Saturday Night Live! alum posted a photo of himself and other cast members, captioning the photo, “This’ll be cool.”
The production is slated to run from Feb. 5 through Feb. 16.
PEOPLE has reached out to Killam’s representative for comment.
Like hundreds of others, Killam and his wife Colbie Smulders, 42, lost their home to the Palisades Fire that broke out on Tuesday, Jan. 7, and quickly engulfed the entire area due to unusually strong winds.
Despite losing their home, Smulders, best known for playing Robin on How I Met Your Mother and Agent Maria Hill in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, posted donation and family resource links to families impacted by the Palisades Fires and others on Instagram.
“@savethechildren and @projectcampla are doing amazing work to support children and families who have been affected by the CA wildfires. If you need childcare or trauma care for your child register for a camp spot now, link is in my bio,” Smulders wrote. She and Killam are parents to two daughters — Shaelyn, 15, and Janita, 10.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The Palisades Fire continues to burn 10 days after it ignited. In an update on Friday, Jan. 17, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said on X that the fire burned 23,713 acres and is 31% contained.
Other famous Palisades residents who lost their homes include Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Eugene Levy and more.
Click here to learn more about how to help the victims of the L.A. fires.
Read the full article here
