'Come From Away' Star Fired For Faith After COVID-19 Tweet: Suit

NEW YORK CITY — A former star of Broadway's "Come From Away" is suing the production for religious discrimination after his tweet comparing church COVID-19 restrictions to tyranny cost him his job, court records show.

Tony-nominated actor Chad Kimball filed suit Wednesday against two "Come From Away" production companies he claims betrayed the show's ethos by canceling his contract, according to Manhattan civil court records.

"Come from Away was received by many as a heartwarming musical of what people are capable of if they set aside fear and hate," the civil suit states.

"[Company leadership] willfully failed to live up to the aspiration espoused by their production as they unlawfully terminated Mr. Kimball wholly or partly because Mr. Kimball’s religious beliefs simply made them uncomfortable."

A "Come From Away" spokesperson told Patch via email, “The producers declined to comment.”

Conflict arose between Kimball and the "Come From Away" cast on Nov. 15, 2020, when the actor condemned Washington state's ban on singing in church, the suit contends.

"Folks, absolute POWER corrupts ABSOLUTELY," Kimball tweeted. "I will respectfully disobey these unlawful orders."

Broadway stars from "Wicked," "Jersey Boys" and "Once" were quick to reply and condemn the sentiments Kimball linked to his Christian faith, Deadline reported at the time.

While some responses were less restrained — "Chicago Med" star Colin Donnell dubbed the tweet "f---ing moronic" — Kimball's co-star Sharon Wheatley voiced her disapproval with a calmer tone.

“I respectfully feel you are very much on the wrong side of this," Wheatley wrote. "I love you like a brother, but I disagree with you.”

Kimball — among the first Broadway stars to contract COVID-19 in March 2020— later clarified his stance on Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s ban was not a condemnation on masks or social distancing measures.

"The overreach - in my opinion! - is not being able to sing even WITH a mask," Kimball wrote. "Everyone will continue wearing masks. With respect and with hope and with care."

But the conflict was far from over, said Kimball's attorney, Lawrence Spasojevich.

"The tweet was maybe the initial spark," Spasojevich said. "But it really just lit a time bomb of this discriminatory attitude about his being a devout Christian."

Months later, a "Come From Away" producer quizzed Kimball about his "Conservative Christian" beliefs, which she allegedly contended connected him to rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, Spasojevich said.

"It's like after Pearl Harbor," Spasojevich said. "And not trusting Japanese Americans."

Kimball was asked not to return to the then-suspended Broadway show, and when Kimball sought clarification as to why, he allegedly received a disturbing answer from director from Christopher Ashley, according to the attorney and court filings.

"Mr. Kimball had an opportunity of asking, 'Is this because people don’t like me or because of my religious beliefs?'" Spasojevich said.

"Mr. Ashley stated that it was 'everything,'" the suit states.

Kimball, who played Kevin T. in more than 1,000 productions of "Come From Away," is now seeking damages for an alleged violation of New York City's Human Rights Law, which prohibits termination based on a protected status, such as gender or religion.

"It’s a simple mixed motive analysis," Spasojevich said. "He’s taken a brave step to file suit."

If Kimball's termination came as a surprise to the actor, "Frozen" star Patti Murin appears to have predicted the ramifications of his Tweet in a reply showcasing her own inability to let it go.