Westfeldt Departs Wonderful Town Suddenly
by Broadway Staff • Sep 4, 2004
Tony-nominated actress Jennifer Westfeldt has unexpectedly left the Broadway revival of Wonderful Town because of a medical condition, according to a production spokesperson. A replacement for the star will be announced next week. Understudies Nancy Anderson and Susan Derry will rotate in the role of Eileen Sherwood until a permanent replacement can come in.
Westfeldt won a Theatre World Award and was nominated for Drama League and Tony Awards for her performance in Wonderful Town. She is best known for playing the title character in the 2001 film Kissing Jessica Stein, which she also wrote with costar Heather Juergensen. The film is actually based on the duo's 1997 play Lipshtick. Westfeldt is also an experienced musical theater performer, having played Luisa in The Fantasticks off-Broadway. Other theatrical credits include regional productions of Peter Pan, Sweeney Todd, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Carousel and the Reprise! mounting of Fiorello!.
Westfeldt won a Theatre World Award and was nominated for Drama League and Tony Awards for her performance in Wonderful Town. She is best known for playing the title character in the 2001 film Kissing Jessica Stein, which she also wrote with costar Heather Juergensen. The film is actually based on the duo's 1997 play Lipshtick. Westfeldt is also an experienced musical theater performer, having played Luisa in The Fantasticks off-Broadway. Other theatrical credits include regional productions of Peter Pan, Sweeney Todd, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Carousel and the Reprise! mounting of Fiorello!.
Westfeldt was previously expected to remain with Wonderful Town until her onstage sister, Donna Murphy, departs on September 26. As previously reported, Brooke Shields will be Murphy's replacement.
--Cara Joy David, Broadway.com