Westport Country Playhouse Announces Casting Change in LETTICE AND LOVAGE

Westport Country Playhouse announces that Kandis Chappell has joined the cast of "Lettice and Lovage" in the role of Miss Lettice Douffet, beginning Thursday, June 1. Due to a health issue, the original actress playing Lettice had to leave the role during final rehearsals. She is doing well and wished a speedy recovery.

"I am so grateful and the Playhouse is blessed to have this marvelous actress Kandis Chappell come to the rescue at the last minute so that our production of this delicious comedy can still delight audiences," said Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director, and director of the production. "One of the wonderful aspects of working in the theater is the way artists pull together for each other so the curtain can go up no matter what. Kandis is our new heroine, both onstage and off."

Lamos added, "In fact, she is returning to the part of Lettice, having played the same role at South Coast Repertory."

Kandis Chappell is an associate artist of The Old Globe Theater in San Diego, where she has appeared in more than 30 productions. She has worked extensively at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, and at theaters across the country, including Intiman Theatre in Seattle, American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, Huntington Theatre Company, Hartford Stage (Connecticut Critics Circle Award nomination), Lincoln Center, and Broadway.

While Chappell prepared to step into the role, the Playhouse cancelled two preview performances on Tuesday, May 30, and Wednesday, May 31, and rescheduled patrons who held tickets on those evenings.

The Tony Award-nominated comedy, "Lettice and Lovage," is written by Peter Shaffer, author of "Amadeus," and directed by Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director. The comedy tells of Miss Lettice Douffet, a tour guide for one of Britain's stately homes, who creates outrageous, exaggerated stories to make the stuffy house's historic past more fascinating. The play runs through June 17.

In addition to Chappell, the cast includes Mia Dillon, Sarah Manton, and Paxton Whitehead. Local actors appearing as tourists in the opening scene are Kara Hankard of Glastonbury, Travis James of Weston, Richard Mancini of Stratford, Michele S. Mueller of Rocky Hill, Robert Peterpaul of Darien, Hermon Telyan of Wilton, and Danielle Anna White of Ridgefield.

"Lettice and Lovage" Production Sponsor is Howard J. Aibel. Production Partner is Joyce Hergenhan. Corporate Production Sponsor is Bank of America.

Single tickets start at $30; buy early for best prices. Performance schedule is Tuesdays at 7 p.m., Wednesdays at 2 and 8 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.westportplayhouse.org or call the box office at (203) 227-4177, toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Stay connected to the Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse), and on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse).

The mission of Westport Country Playhouse is to enrich, enlighten, and engage the community through the power of professionally produced theater worth talking about and the welcoming experience of the Playhouse campus. The Playhouse creates this relationship with the community and provides this experience in multiple ways by offering: Live theater experiences of the highest quality, under the artistic direction of Mark Lamos, from May through November; educational and community engagement events and opportunities to further explore issues presented by the work on stage; special performances and programs for students and teachers with extensive curriculum support material; Script in Hand play readings throughout the year to deepen relationships with audiences and artists alike; the renowned Woodward Internship Program training program during the summer months for aspiring theater professionals; Family Festivities presentations from December through April to delight young and old alike and to promote reading through live theater; and the beautiful and historic Playhouse campus open for enjoyment and community events year-round. The value of the Westport Country Playhouse to all it touches is immeasurable.

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