I also hate this change and was hoping they'd put it back the way it's supposed to be for Broadway, but they have not. The roles were combined at Encores! because J Harrison Ghee had just won a Tony and the powers that be wanted to expand their role. The worst part is that combining the two roles into one necessitates cutting the delightful "The Minstrel, The Jester, and I."
For what it's worth, I hear that Daniel Breaker is terrific.
