Annaleigh Ashford and Michael Longoria Exit Cirque du Soleil's Banana Shpeel

Although they performed at a September 9 press event for Banana Shpeel, Broadway stars Annaleigh Ashford and Michael Longoria are no longer a part of the new Cirque du Soleil production. A spokesperson confirmed to the Chicago Tribune that the pair will not appear in the show when it starts performances at the Chicago Theatre in Chicago on November 19 and at New York's Beacon Theatre in 2010.

Spokesperson Reggie Lyons told the Tribune that the decision was not based on the talent of Ashford and Longoria, but on the process of creating the show. "Our creation process is an organic process," Lyons said. "We figure out what works and what doesn't." Lyons added that the show had too many characters and storylines so the actors were essentially written out of Banana Shpeel.

Ashford is best known for playing Glinda in Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre. Other notable credits include Legally Blonde on Broadway and the New York premiere of Feeling Electric, now known as Next to Normal. Longoria made his Broadway debut in Hairspray and went on to play Joe Pesci and then the leading role of Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys.

Banana Shpeel, created and directed by David Shiner (Fool Moon, Seussical) is described as a roller-coaster mix of styles that blends comedy with tap, hip hop, eccentric dance and slapstick, all linked by a narrative that ignites a succession of wacky adventures.

After its run in Chicago, Banana Shpeel is scheduled to begin performances at the newly refurbished Beacon Theatre on February 4, 2010 and open on February 11, 2010.