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Hadestown Ousts Geno Segers After Viral Outrage Erupts
Broadway Actor Geno Segers Leaves Hadestown After Social Media Controversy
What Happened?
Actor Geno Segers was set to join the Broadway production of the hit musical Hadestown as Hades (the god of the underworld). However, shortly after the announcement, theater fans discovered past social media posts from Segers that sparked significant backlash. As a result, Segers and the show’s producers have mutually agreed that he will no longer join the cast.
Important Point
The producers did not publicly state a specific reason for the departure, but the timeline strongly suggests the online outcry over Segers’ past comments played a major role.
Who Is Geno Segers?
Geno Segers is an experienced performer with a background in theater and television:
- Theater: Played Mufasa in Disney’s Australian production of The Lion King and appeared in New York City Center’s Encores! production of On the Town.
- TV: Known for roles like Mason Makoola on Pair of Kings and Chayton Littleton on Banshee.
- New Role: Was announced to play Hades in Hadestown starting September 1, alongside a new principal cast.
The New Hadestown Cast (Before the Change)
| Role | Actor |
|---|---|
| Hades | Geno Segers (no longer joining) |
| Persephone | Amber Iman |
| Eurydice | Jasmin Savoy Brown |
| Orpheus | Kayko |
| Hermes | Norbert Leo Butz |
Why Did People Get Upset?
After the casting announcement, theater fans and social media users resurfaced old videos from Segers’ Instagram and YouTube channels. In these videos, Segers allegedly made comments criticizing transgender individuals, including transgender athletes competing in sports.
Fan Reaction:
- Outrage spread quickly on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok.
- Many theater-goers felt his views conflicted with the inclusive values of the Broadway community.
- Calls grew for the producers to recast the role.
What Did Segers Do?
In response to the backlash:
- Made his Instagram account private (so only approved followers can see posts).
- Removed videos from his YouTube channel that were cited in the criticism.
- Did not publicly comment on the controversy or his departure at the time of reporting.
What Happens Next?
The producers released a short statement:
“The producers of Hadestown and Geno Segers have mutually agreed that Mr. Segers will no longer join the Broadway production. Additional casting will be announced shortly.”
What to Expect:
- A new actor will be cast as Hades.
- The rest of the new principal cast (Amber Iman, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Kayko, Norbert Leo Butz) remains unchanged.
- Performances continue as scheduled.
Summary
- Geno Segers was cast as Hades in Broadway’s Hadestown, starting September 1.
- Past social media posts surfaced showing anti-transgender comments.
- Public backlash followed quickly.
- Segers locked down his social media and removed controversial videos.
- Producers and Segers mutually agreed he would not join the show.
- A replacement will be announced soon.
FAQ
Why does this matter in the theater world?
Broadway has a strong culture of inclusion and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. When a performer’s past statements contradict those values, it often leads to public pressure for accountability.
Was Segers fired?
The official statement says it was a "mutual agreement," which is often a diplomatic way to handle a departure without saying "fired" or "quit."
Will the show be delayed?
No. The rest of the new cast is still starting September 1, and Hadestown continues its regular performance schedule.
Has this happened before on Broadway?
Yes. In recent years, several casting decisions have been revisited due to past social media behavior, reflecting a broader industry shift toward accountability and safer spaces.
Where can I find updates on the new Hades?
Check the official Hadestown social media accounts or the show’s website for the upcoming casting announcement.
