Roger Rees on Leave From THE VISIT; Tom Nelis Steps In

BroadwayWorld has learned that Roger Rees is currently on leave from The Visit, and in his place, Tom Nelis is temporarily stepping in as Anton Schell. No word yet on the duration of the hiatus. Of note, the star has also been swapped out for Nelis on the show's official web site. According to audience member reports, Nelis is giving a stellar performance in the role opposite the legendary Chita Rivera. Keep checking BroadwayWorld as we learn more!

Tom Nelis appeared on Broadway in Enron, The Caine Mutiny Court Martial, and Aida. His Off Broadway credits include Road Show, Richard III, the title role in Henry VI, and 'Tis Pity She's A Whore (The Public Theater); Doris to Darlene (Playwrights Horizons); Ipheginia 2.0 and Hot 'n' Throbbing (Signature Theatre); Orlando (Classic Stage Company); Septimus and Clarissa (Ripe Time); The Merchant of Venice (Theatre for a New Audience and The Royal Shakespeare Company); Ahab in Laurie Anderson's Songs and Stories from Moby Dick (BAM/world tour); Oscar Wilde in Gross Indecency (Mineta Lane Theatre); Hot Mouth (Manhattan Theatre Club); Pearls for Pigs (Richard Foreman/world tour); and 20 years with SITI Company, including Cafe Variations (ArtsEmerson). Mr. Nelis has appeared at regional theatres throughout the country including in The Blue Flower (American Repertory Theater). He is the recipient of Obie (The Medium) and San Diego Critics Ensemble (Wintertime) Awards, and Drama League (Score) and Barrymore Award (Candide) nominations. Mr. Nelis received his MFA from UC San Diego.

The Visit began performances at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street) on Thursday, March 26 with an official Opening Night set for Thursday, April 23.

The cast is led by Tony Award-Winners Chita Rivera as Claire Zachannassian. The Broadway cast also features George Abud as Karl, Jason Danieley as Frederich Kuhn, Matthew Deming as Louis Perch, Diana Dimarzio as Annie Dummermut, Tony Award-nomineeDavid Garrison as Peter Dummermut, Rick Holmes as Father Josef, Tom Nelis as Rudi, Chris Newcomer as Jacob Chicken, Mary Beth Peil as Matilde Schell,Aaron Ramey as Otto Hahnke, Elena Shadow as Ottilie, Timothy Shew as Hans Nusselin, with John Riddle andMichelle Veintimilla.

Based on the satirical play by Friedrich Durrenmatt as adapted by Maurice Valency, The Visit features music and lyrics by the Tony Award-winning team John Kander & Fred Ebb, book by four- time Tony Award-winning playwrightTerrence McNally. It will open on Broadway this spring, starring two-time Tony Award-winning Broadway legend Chita Rivera and Tony Award-winner Roger Rees. Helmed by Tony Award-winning director John Doyle and choreographed by Tony Award-nominee Graciela Daniele. Tickets available now on Telecharge.com.

In her juiciest role yet, Chita Rivera is Claire Zachannassian, the world's wealthiest woman, who returns home to Anton Schell (Roger Rees) who captured her heart then shattered her dreams. What she does next shocks the town and makes for the most thrilling and intriguing musical in years. From the team that brought you "Cabaret", "Chicago", "Kiss of the Spider Woman", this tale of romance, seduction and betrayal proves that the best revenge is revenge.

The Visit is produced by Tom Kirdahy, Edgar Bronfman, Jr., Tom Smedes, Hugh Hayes, Peter Stern, Judith Ann Abrams, Rich Affannato, Hunter Arnold, Carl Daikeler, Ken Davenport, Bharat Mitra & Bhavani Lev, Peter May, Ted Snowdon, Gabrielle Palitz/Weatherby & Fishman LLC, Marguerite Hoffman/Jeremy Youett, Carlos Arana/Terry Loftis, Veenerick & Katherine Vos Van Liempt, 42nd.Club/Silva Theatrical and The Shubert Organization, in association with Williamstown Theatre Festival.