‘Ragtime’s Ben Davis To Take ‘Hadestown’ Role Left Vacant By Departure Of Geno Segers

Ben Davis, a star of Broadway‘s Tony-winning Ragtime revival, will join the cast of Hadestown in the role left vacant with the recently announced departure of Geno Segers.

Davis will take the role of Hades beginning Tuesday, September 1.

Segers had been set to begin performances in September but left the show following a public outcry when the actor’s old social media posts reflecting antipathy toward trans people resurfaced. Segers subsequently apologized for the post, writing on Instagram, “I wish to extend my most sincere apologies to everyone impacted by my words. While I never intended to inflict harm, I recognize that the impact of my statements is what matters most.”

Segers’ apology did not specifically reference the trans community in his apology.

Producers Mara Isaacs, Dale Franzen, Hunter Arnold, and Tom Kirdahy announced Davis’ hiring today. He joins the previously announced new principal company including television and film star Jasmin Savoy Brown as ‘Eurydice,’ two-time Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz as ‘Hermes,’ Tony Award nominee Amber Iman as ‘Persephone,’ pop-rock musician and songwriter Kayko as ‘Orpheus.’

Davis most recently appeared as Father in the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Ragtime. His Broadway credits include Once Upon a Mattress, New York, New York, Dear Evan Hansen, Violet, A Little Night Music, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Baz Luhrmann’s La Bohème, and Les Misérables, where he portrayed both Javert and Enjolras.

Davis also performs as a concert artist with leading orchestras and symphonies including the BBC Proms at London’s Royal Albert Hall, La Scala in Milan and Taipei Arena in Taiwan. Television credits include recurring roles on Law & Order: SVU and The Game. Film credits include Kenneth Branagh’s The Magic Flute and the filmed adaptation of Samuel Barber’s A Hand of Bridge.