Molly Regan Steps in for Ailing Kristen Johnston in London Love Song

Kristen Johnston has made a sudden departure from John Kolvenbach's Love Song in London's West End. She was taken seriously ill on December 6 with an erupted duodenal ulcer, which had to be operated on immediately. Molly Regan, who originated Johnston's part in the play's premiere at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre in June, has been flown in on one day's notice to take over while Johnston recuperates.

Johnston is reportedly determined to return to the production as soon as she can, according to a press statement, but it is anticipated by the producers that she will need a period of recovery once discharged from hospital. Nevertheless, she is expected to be able to return to the production before Christmas.

Regan has been a member of the Steppenwolf ensemble since 1985. She most recently directed Pacific there and has appeared in many productions including Maria Arndt, David Copperfield, The Glass Menagerie, Time of My Life, Another Time Jeff Award, Earthly Possessions, Three Sisters, Aunt Dan and Lemon, Miss Julie, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, You Can't Take It with You and Reckless. She has appeared on Broadway in Stepping Out and The Crucible. Her off-Broadway credits include Booth, The Two Gentlemen of Verona , The Seagull, Say Goodnight, Gracie, Etiquette and Personals.

Johnston made her West End stage debut in Love Song, which opened at the New Ambassadors Theatre on December 4. She plays Joan, sister of the loner Beane played by Cillian Murphy. In his Theatre.com review of the London production, Matt Wolf described the character of Joan as "an aggressive careerist who thinks nothing of firing an intern for some improper filing," and said of Johnston that she "fields that particular scenario with smoky-voiced aplomb."

The West End's Love Song, directed by John Crowley, also includes Neve Campbell, Cillian Murphy and Michael McKean.