Jill Paice Replaces Laura Benanti in Roundabout's Little Night Music Concert

Jill Paice, who appeared on Broadway in Curtains and starred as Scarlett O'Hara in the London production of Gone with the Wind will replace previously announced star Laura Benanti as Anne Egerman in Roundabout Theatre Company's upcoming gala concert reading of Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music. The event will be held on January 12 at Studio 54, directed by Scott Ellis.

According to a press release, Benanti has withdrawn from the reading "under the advice of her doctor. Ms. Benanti has a throat infection that would be aggravated by adding rehearsals and a performance of A Little Night Music to her final eight-performance schedule of Gypsy." Benanti, who won a 2008 Tony for her performance as Louise, ends her Broadway run in Gypsy on January 11 when the revival is set to close.

Paice will join a cast that includes previously announced stars Natasha Richardson Desirée Armfeldt, Victor Garber Frederick Egerman, Christine Baranski Countess Charlotte Malcolm, Marc Kudisch Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm, Vanessa Redgrave Madame Armfeldt and Benanti's husband, Steven Pasquale Henrik Egerman. Paul Gemignani will lead a 27-member orchestra with orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick.

Not seen on Broadway in 35 years, this classic musical follows three lovestruck couples as they lose—and find—each other during a long midsummer night on a country estate. Sondheim’s heartbreaking score includes “Send in the Clowns,” “The Miller’s Son” and “A Weekend in the Country.”

The design team includes Derek McLane sets, Kenneth Posner lights and Steve Kennedy sound. All proceeds will benefit the Roundabout Theatre Company.