Denis O’Hare Opens Up About the Sudden Cancellation of ‘Boroughs’

When the curtain fell on the rehearsals for Boroughs last Thursday, the theater world collectively held its breath. The news that the production would be scrapped before it even opened sent ripples through the community, and none felt it more keenly than Denis O’Hare, who had been slated to play the enigmatic Maestro Romano.

In an impromptu interview with the New York Times, O’Hare admitted that the announcement hit him “like a cold splash of water.” He laughed—a short, nervous chuckle—before adding, “I was genuinely excited about this material. It was daring, it was fresh, and it gave me a chance to explore a side of the character that I haven’t touched in years.” The actor’s words sounded as if they were being spoken on the spot, with a few hesitations that only make them feel more authentic.

He went on to praise the creative team, noting that director Maya Lin had brought a “visually striking, almost cinematic sense of New York’s boroughs” to the stage. “The choreography, the music—everything was aligning,” O’Hare said, his voice trailing off for a moment as he gathered his thoughts. “When you see a project click, you get that buzz, that electric feeling that something special is about to happen.”

But the excitement was quickly undercut by the practicalities that led to the shutdown. The production’s backers, O’Hare explained, faced an unexpected financial pinch, compounded by rising costs and a dwindling pool of investors willing to gamble on a new, untested musical. “It’s a sad reality of this business,” he sighed, “that sometimes great art gets caught in the crossfire of numbers and deadlines.”

Despite the disappointment, O’Hare emphasized his gratitude for the experience and the relationships forged during rehearsals. He highlighted the camaraderie among the cast—especially his chemistry with newcomer Sofia Ramirez, who was set to play the spirited street poet Lily. “We became a little family,” he said, smiling. “And families don’t just dissolve because the lights go out. We’ll carry these moments forward.”

Looking ahead, the actor remains optimistic. He hinted at several upcoming projects, including a limited run of The Crucible at the Goodman Theatre and a potential TV guest spot that’s “still under wraps, but I’m thrilled about it.” He concluded with a note to the fans: “Keep believing in the magic of theater. It survives because of people like you who show up, applaud, and keep the conversation alive.”