NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — The producers of the Tony-nominated Broadway play “Jagged Little Pill” announced they have appointed an external firm to investigate former cast members' criticisms of mistreatment and transphobia.
“We are deeply troubled by the recent claims that have been made by a former cast member,” said lead producers Vivek J. Tiwary, Arvind Ethan David, and Eva Price in a statement. “We met with our cast and members of our core creative team today to let them know we take this matter very seriously, and to share with them the actions we are taking in response.”
The producers are hiring Hewlin and The Hewlin Group, a consulting firm that specializes in diversity and inclusion, to investigate the accusations from Schell.
The black non-binary actor issued a statement on social media saying a stage manager and the creative team mistreated them after they were diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
“During previews for the Broadway run of JAGGED LITTLE PILL I was intimidated, coerced and forced by multiple higher ups to put off CRITICAL AND NECESSARY surgery to remove growths from my vagina that were making me anemic,” Schell posted to Twitter. “Surgery my doctor told me was urgent.”
Shortly after Schell's comments, Celia Rose Gooding, who is retiring her run as Mary Frances "Frankie" Healy, issued her own statement criticizing "the harm Jagged has done to the trans and non-binary community, including cast members on stage, off stage, and behind the scenes in the production-making process."
"They are owed a space to exist and perform free of transphobia, and the opportunity to tell their own stories, just as I have over the years," Gooding added.
The production, which has landed 15 Tony nominations, is scheduled to return to Broadway on Oct. 21 after a coronavirus-induced shutdown.
“Broadway shows are by their very nature collaborative human efforts, so there is nothing more important to us than our people,” the statement from the producers continued. “We are committed to continuing to nurture a work environment where everyone feels valued and respected.”
Schell said they have been overwhelmed by the support they’ve received since issue their statement on Friday.
“Thank you to every individual who has shown me support publicly or privately,” Schell wrote in a follow-up tweet. “I have been moved to tears every hour on the hour. I didn't believe people would actually care this much. I will eventually respond to everyone who has spoken with me, right now I need time to process.”