Why Did Jean Smart Leave & Get Recast in Call Me Izzy

This week, in a surprising turn of events, Jean Smart will not be performing in her solo Broadway play Call Me Izzy. This has led fans to wonder when she will return to the show and who would take her place in her absence. Further, they are questioning why Smart is not a part of her own solo show, which will run till August 17.

Here are all the details on Smart’s absence from the Broadway show.

Why did Jean Smart leave Broadway’s Call Me Izzy?

Jean Smart will be absent from the play for this entire week due to a knee injury. The official Instagram page for Call Me Izzy has posted about this a day ago, saying, “Jean Smart has injured her knee.”

So, for now, as the show is already in the middle of its 12-week limited run, it will continue without Jean Smart.

Who is replacing Jean Smart on Call Me Izzy?

Johanna Day, the theater veteran with two Tony Award nominations, will take over the role of Izzy from July 8 to July 11, as per the play’s Instagram page.

Johanna Day is an acclaimed performer, however, and should be able to keep fans hooked when Smart is not around. Her performances in the 2000 play Proof and the 2016 production of the play Sweat are proof of her immense talent.

When will Jean Smart return to Call Me Izzy?

There is no explicit confirmation as to when Jean Smart will return to the Broadway performance, as the Instagram post mentioned above stated, “We look forward to having her back as soon as she recovers.” But it seems that she could recover and be back by next week. Moreover, as Day is replacing her till July 11, it is likely that she will resume on Monday, July 14, 2025.

If not, further updates about Jean Smart’s condition should come.