“Wicked” Star Cancels SPAC Show; Jon Batiste Substitutes 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Cynthia Erivo—acclaimed singer, actor, and co-star of hit Hollywood musical “Wicked”—has canceled her Aug. 22 performance at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) “due to scheduling conflicts beyond the artist’s control.”

Replacing Erivo in SPAC’s summer lineup will be seven-time Grammy Award-winning artist Jon Batiste, whose new album “Big Money” is set to be released on the same day of his Aug. 22 show, giving audiences a chance to experience his latest music live prior to a national tour that begins on Aug. 27.

“While we are disappointed that Cynthia Erivo will not be joining us this summer, we are elated to welcome Jon in celebration of his highly anticipated new album,” said Elizabeth Sobol, the CEO of SPAC, in a news release.

The first half of Batiste’s show will feature music from his upcoming album performed alongside his band. The second half of the show will mark his debut with The Philadelphia Orchestra. This appearance will be Batiste’s first time back at SPAC following his Saratoga Jazz Festival performance in 2018.

Tickets to the Cynthia Erivo show will be automatically transferred to “A Special Evening with Jon Batiste and The Philadelphia Orchestra” on Aug. 22. For existing ticketholders who prefer a refund or a credit to redeem at a later date, a request form will be emailed directly to be completed by Friday, Aug. 1. Questions can be directed to the box office at boxoffice@spac.org.