Thora Birch Fired from Off-Broadway's Dracula; Emily Bridges to Play Lucy

Thora Birch has been fired from the off-Broadway revival of Bram Stoker's Dracula. A press release issued on December 14 said that the American Beauty and Ghost World actress "has been released" from the production, but the The New York Times reported that Birch was dismissed and ordered to leave the theater on December 10 because her manager father, Jack Birch, threatened another actor during rehearsal on December 9, an accusation the elder Birch denied.

Birch's understudy, Emily Bridges, will take over the leading role of Lucy for the show's first preview on December 14 at the Little Shubert Theatre. Katharine Luckinbill will now play Miss Wells, the role originally played by Bridges.

The rehearsal incident in question involved an unnamed actor who was reportedly directed to rub Thora Birch's back during a scene. Jack Birch objected, saying, according to director Paul Alexander, "Listen, man, I'm trying to make this easier for you—don't touch her." Birch denied using those words and insisted that he was not making a threat to the other actor.

Dracula marks the New York stage debut of both Bridges and Wells. Bridges is the daughter of actor Beau Bridges. A student at the London Dramatic Academy and Moscow Art Theatre School, she has appeared on stage in Gaslight, The Princess and the Frog and Happy Hour. Luckinbill is the daughter of actors Lucie Arnaz and Laurence Luckinbill. Her stage credits include A Midsummer Night's Dream, Sonia Flew and Alexandros.

Dracula also stars Tony winner George Hearn, Tony nominee Timothy Jerome, Jake Silbermann, John Buffalo Mailer, Rob O'Hare and Italian actor Michael Altieri as the title bloodsucker. Opening night is set for January 5, 2011.