Boy George leaves Jesus Christ Superstar after backlash

Singer Boy George has withdrawn from a London production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" just days before he was scheduled to begin performances, a move his manager said was made to allow the production to remain the focus. The announcement on July 30 came amid controversy surrounding the release of the singer's pro-Israel song, "We Will Dance Again."

The 65-year-old Culture Club frontman was set to play King Herod in the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical at the London Palladium from August 3 to 15. The role features a rotating cast of guest performers, including Richard Armitage, Layton Williams, Julian Clary, Simon Russell Beale, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson. Armitage is expected to cover the vacated dates.

The singer's manager, Paul Kemsley, announced the decision on social media, stating it was made "with the utmost respect for the producers, the creative team and the entire company." In his statement, Kemsley apologized to fans who had purchased tickets hoping to see Boy George perform. He added that the singer "has never been afraid to stand by his personal convictions," and that he believed it was his responsibility to make decisions in the artist's best interests while...