Roger Bart, Broadway's manic doctor in Mel Brooks' new
musical Young Frankenstein, has been out
of performances at the Hilton Theatre since October 13 matinee due to a lower
back problem, states a show spokesperson.
"He is responding well to treatment and is expected to
return to the show shortly," according to a statement.
Ensemble member Matthew LaBanca (in his Broadway debut) has
and will continue to cover the role of Frederick Frankenstein during Bart's
absence – there is no official date announced for Bart's return.
Bart garnered the Best Featured Actor in a Musical 1999 Tony
Award for his performance as Snoopy in You're
a Good Man, Charlie Brown and was nominated in the same category in 2001
for the role of Carmen Ghia in Mel Brooks' The
Producers. Bart also appeared in The Frogs opposite Nathan Lane at Lincoln Center. He is recognized on film and screen in The Stepford Wives and ABC's "Desperate
Housewives."
LaBanca's credits include the Children and Art benefit gala at the New Amsterdam Theatre; plus
roles in the national tours of Joseph and
the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Anything
Goes and Crazy For You.
Young Frankenstein
is scheduled to officially open
on November 8 at the Hilton Theatre (213
W 42nd St). Visit www.youngfrankensteinthemusical.com.
The New Mel Brooks
Musical Young
Frankenstein also stars Megan Mullally
(Elizabeth) , Sutton
Foster (Inga), Shuler Hensley
(The Monster), Andrea Martin
(Frau Blucher), Fred Applegate
(Inspector Kemp/Hermit) and Christopher
Fitzgerald (Igor).
The company of 27
includes: Heather
Ayers, Jim Borstelmann, Paul Castree,
Jennifer Lee Crowl, Jack Doyle, James Gray, Amy Heggins, Eric Jackson,
Kristin Marie Johnson, Renee Feder, Kevin Ligon, Barrett Martin, Linda
Mugleston, ChrisTina Marie
Norrup, Justin Patterson, Brian Shepard, Sarrah Strimel,
Craig Waletzko, and Courtney Young.
Young
Frankenstein
features a book by three-time Tony Award winner Mel Brooks
and three-time Tony Award winner Thomas Meehan
and music and lyrics by Brooks. Young
Frankenstein is directed and choreographed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman
. Musical supervision is by Glen Kelly.
