Jennifer Jason Leigh will depart the off-Broadway production of Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party after the March 11 performance to begin shooting a role in hubby Noah Baumbach's as-yet-untitled new film. Understudy Gayton Scott, who has gone on as Beverly before, will take over the role permanently on March 13.
Scott has appeared on Broadway in Present Laughter, The Women and Gypsy. Her off-Broadway credits include I Stand Before You Naked, Notes From a Séance and White Chocolate. Her other theatrical credits include the national tour of The Buddy Holly Story, A Little Night Music at Barrington Stage, Lost in the Stars and The Times at the Long Wharf Theatre and Three Postcards for the Portland Stage Company. She was seen on the small screen as Tiffany Astor on Guiding Light.
Abigail's Party is a dissection of British middle-class life in the 1970s. This tale of suburban London takes place over the course of one night and many cocktails. Romance, revelation and rude behavior follow as two gatherings in neighboring abodes are in full swing-which will be the one to remember? The cast of Abigail's Party also includes Max Baker, Lisa Emery, Darren Goldstein and Elizabeth Jasicki. Scott Elliott directs.
The show is scheduled to run through April 8 at the Acorn Theater at Theater Row.
