Roger Bart Replaces Chris Kattan in The Frogs

Roger Bart is replacing Chris Kattan in the role of the slave Xanthias in the Lincoln Center Theater's The Frogs. Kattan has withdrawn from the production, a spokesperson confirmed to Broadway.com. Bart is currently in rehearsals and is expected to play his first performance by mid-week. Until then, Timothy Gulan, who understudies the role, will play Xanthias at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre.

Bart, who recently completed his second engagement as Leo Bloom in The Producers and created the role of Carmen Ghia in the hit musical, will reunite with his Producers co-star Nathan Lane when he joins The Frogs. Lane plays the role of Dionysos in the comedy. Bart received Tony and Drama Desk nominations for his performance in The Producers. He also received the 1999 Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Other Broadway and first national touring credits include Triumph of Love, King David, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, The Secret Garden, Big River and The Who's Tommy. His off-Broadway credits include Fully Committed, Henry IV, Parts I & II, Up Against It and Vampire Lesbians of Sodom.

The Frogs is a musical adaptation of the Aristophanes comedy written in 405 B.C., freely adapted by Burt Shevelove and for this production even more freely adapted by Lane, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The show began previews on June 22 in preparation for a July 22 opening.