The Glass Menagerie, With Slater Instead of Roberts, Delays Broadway Opening

The new Broadway production of Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie, originally set to open at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on Tuesday, March 15, will now open on Tuesday, March 22 at 6:45pm. Christian Slater, who was announced to replace Dallas Roberts in the role of Tom Wingfield three days before previews began last week, will give his first performance on Tuesday, March 8 at 8pm.

Directed by David Leveaux and starring Jessica Lange, the Bill Kenwright production of the Williams classic started previews on Thursday, February 24 with standby Joey Collins as Tom; Collins will continue in the role until Slater plays his first performance. The Glass Menagerie also stars Sarah Paulson as Laura Wingfield and Josh Lucas as Jim O’Connor, “the Gentleman Caller.”

The reason for the last-minute change in casting has not been officially stated. As of Sunday evening, February 27, Roberts’ name was still on the marquee at the Barrymore and a large photo of him was still prominently displayed at front-of-house. To access TheaterMania’s news item on Slater’s replacement of Roberts, click here.