Estelle Parsons Out of The Velocity of Autumn With Flu, Hopes to Return Before It Shutters

Estelle Parsons, who received a Tony nod for her role in the soon-to-shutter The Velocity of Autumn, has not appeared in the play since April 23 after falling ill with the flu. According to a spokesperson for the production, the Oscar winner “hopes to return to the show tomorrow.” At time of closing on May 4, the play will have run for 22 preview performances and 16 regular performances at the Booth Theatre. Parson's understudy is Libby George.

Written by Eric Colbe, directed by Molly Smith and also starring Stephen Spinella, The Velocity of Autumn tells the story of Alexandra (Parsons), a 79-year-old artist in a showdown with her family over where she’ll spend her remaining years. Alexandra has barricaded herself in her Brooklyn Brownstone with enough Molotov cocktails to take out the block, but when her estranged son Chris (Spinella) crawls through her second-floor window, he becomes the family’s unlikely mediator.

The Velocity of Autumn premiered at Boise Contemporary Theatre in Idaho in 2011 before having a sold-out run at Washington D.C.’s Arena Stage this past September.