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Jonathan Groff will not play the role of Claude in the upcoming Broadway production of Hair, the role which he originated in the show's Shakespeare in the Park staging, the actor told TheaterMania in an interview.

The production will begin previews at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre beginning February 13, with an opening set for March 5. No casting has been formally announced.

"About a month ago, I decided not to continue with the show, because I felt I wanted to be open to whatever new experiences come my way" says Groff, who's currently starring in the Playwrights Horizons production of Craig Lucas' Prayer for My Enemy. "It was a really hard decision, because I love the company and I believe in director Diane Paulus, and I think that it will be exciting in that space. And now that the election is over; I think the show going to take on a whole new life, but I'll be there on opening night."