Word on All That Chat is that it'll be replaced with KISMET, and assumedly with Brian Stokes Mitchell and Marin Mazzie, who were supposed to be in RAGTIME. They did KISMET last year at Encores, directed by the somewhat uninspiring Lonny Price. Not a bad choice, but not a great one. I say, do another contemporary musical instead. Do PARADE! It was good enough for Lincoln Center, and now for Donmar Warehouse.
The release:
Due to unexpected schedule conflicts of Frank Galati and Graciela Daniele, director and choreographer of City Opera's new production of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens' Ragtime, the company is postponing the presentation of the musical. The company had planned to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the work by mounting a new production with the original Broadway team; music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, book by Terrence McNally, directed by Mr. Galati and with choreography by Graciela Daniele. Mr. Galati and Ms. Daniele are an integral part of this team and due to their unavailability City Opera is delaying its production until the entire team is available to work on the piece. The musical, which was scheduled to open at City Opera on April 8, 2008, will be replaced in the repertory by a musical theater work to be announced shortly.