Christian Slater Replaces Dallas Roberts in Broadway’s Glass Menagerie

It has just been announced that Christian Slater will play the role of Tom Wingfield in Bill Kenwright’s new production of the Tennessee Williams classic The Glass Menagerie, set to begin previews at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on Thursday, February 24.

The actor has replaced Dallas Roberts in the role but no official reason has been given for the re-casting. Understudy Joey Collins will play Tom until Slater is rehearsed and ready to give his first performance — “probably some time time next week,” according to The Glass Menagerie‘s publicist. Directed by David Leveaux, the production stars Jessica Lange as Amanda Wingfield. It also features Sarah Paulson as her daughter, Laura, and Josh Lucas as Jim O’Connor, the “gentleman caller.” The show is scheduled to open on March 15.

Slater earned strong reviews this past fall for his starring performance in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest at the Gielgud Theatre in London. He last appeared on Broadway in Side Man. His film credits include Heathers, Pump Up The Volume, Broken Arrow, True Romance, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Interview With the Vampire, Tucker, and The Name of the Rose.

Roberts recently appeared with Sam Shepard in the Caryl Churchill play A Number at the New York Theatre Workshop. He was praised for his performance in the 2002 Off-Broadway revival of Lanford Wilson’s play Burn This, and he had a major role in the 2004 film A Home at the End of the World.