After Injury, Craig Bierko Takes Leave from Broadway\'s ‘Matilda\'

Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Craig Bierko

Craig Bierko, the Tony Award-nominated stage and film actor who recently joined the Broadway cast of “Matilda the Musical” as the villainous Miss Trunchbull, has taken a leave from the production following an injury.

In a statement released Tuesday, press representatives for “Matilda” said, “Due to a shoulder injury which delayed his start in ‘Matilda the Musical' and which has been aggravated during performance, Craig Bierko will be taking a 12-week disability leave from the production. At this time, understudies Chris Hoch and Ben Thompson will be playing Miss Trunchbull.”

Mr. Bierko, whose stage roles have included Harold Hill in the 2000 Broadway revival of “The Music Man,” was originally scheduled to begin performances in “Matilda” on Sept. 3, but delayed his start by two weeks to Sept. 17, citing a shoulder injury.

He replaced Bertie Carvel in the role of Miss Trunchbull, an embittered headmistress and former champion hammer-thrower; Mr. Carvel originated this role in the West End and Broadway productions of “Matilda,” earning a Olivier Award and a Tony nomination.