Loudon Out of Dinner at Eight, Seldes to Step In

It has just been announced that Dorothy Loudon, on her doctor’s recommendation, has withdrawn from the Lincoln Center Theater production of .

Loudon, who originated the roles of Miss Hannigan and Dotty Otley in the original Broadway productions of Annie and Noises Off, has been diagnosed with labyrinthitis, a viral infection of the inner ear that affects one’s balance. She will soon be replaced in her role of Carlotta Vance by the veteran actress Marian Seldes, who appeared on

Broadway last season in Neil Simon’s 45 Seconds From Broadway and starred in the New York Theatre Workshop production of Play Yourself this past summer. Until Seldes can take over, Carlotta will be played by understudy Sloane Shelton, who normally appears as the cook, Mrs. Wendel.

The revival of the 1932 George S. Kaufman-Edna Ferber play, directed by Gerald Gutierrez, began previews on November 23. It is still scheduled to open on Thursday, December 19 and to run through Sunday, January 26 at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater.