Julian Ovenden Departs DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY; Kevin Earley to Complete Limited Engagement

Death Takes a Holiday opened on July 21st at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre, with Kevin Earley in the role of "Death." Earley has been performing the role in the Roundabout Theatre Company show since Julian Ovenden's departure on July 19th due to laryngitis.

"With respect to the cast and the audiences, I have decided to withdraw from the production," Ovenden said in a statement today. "I have a great amount of respect for my fellow actors and I am deeply saddened to have to say goodbye."

Kevin Earley will continue to perform the role for the remaining 4½ weeks of the engagement through Sunday, September 4th.

The new musical, with a book by Peter Stone & Thomas Meehan, music & lyrics by Maury Yeston is directed by Doug Hughes. The cast also includes Linda Balgord (Contessa Danielli), Matt Cavenaugh (Eric Fenton), Mara Davi (Alice), Joy Hermalyn (Cora), Jay Jaski (Lorenzo), Simon Jones (Dr. Dario Albione), Rebecca Luker (Duchess Lamberti), Patricia Noonan (Sophia), Jill Paice (Grazia), Michael Siberry (Duke Lamberti), Alexandra Socha (Daisy Fenton), Don Stephenson (Fidele), Max Von Essen (Corrado Montelli).

Death Takes a Holiday is based on the dramatic play by Alberto Casella, rewritten for the American stage by Walter Ferris, and originally produced by Messrs. Shubert.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos