Lips Together, Teeth Apart: Roundabout cancel

Following the news that Megan Mullally quit the Roundabout's upcoming Broadway production of Terrence McNally's Lips Together, Teeth Apart, directed by Joe Mantello, comes a further announcement that the show has been cancelled.

The company will announce a replacement production shortly.

When the company announced on 24 Apr 2010 that Megan Mullally had abruptly withdrawn from the production, they still hoped to open on 29 Apr 2010 as originally scheduled - with only the previews being delayed while they searched for a replacement.

However, replacing Megan Mullally, who was the main star in a four-member ensemble was always going to be difficult on such short notice, and so it does not come as a great surpise to learn the the company have now decided to cancell the production.

In a statement, Roundabout's Artistic Director Todd Haimes: "We could not find a way to maintain the production schedule under these circumstances. We are now exploring options to produce a show for our subscribers as soon as possible."

The production was scheduled to open at the American Airline on 29 Apr 2010 following previews from 9 Apr 2010.

There has been no comment from Megan Mullally about her departure, but it follows an initial rumor of conflicts between herself and director Joe Mantello during rehearsals. A new rumor has since emerged that claims Mullally was unhappy with fellow cast member, stand-up comedian Patton Oswalt, who has no stage experience, and was demanding he be replaced.

Mullally, was to have starred as "Chloe Haddock," alongside Patton Oswalt (Sam Truman), Lili Taylor (Sally Truman) and David Wilson Barnes (John Haddock).

Lips Together, Teeth Apart takes place on the elegant deck of a beach house on Fire Island. A brother and sister and their respective spouses attempt to celebrate the Fourth of July with a gnawing uncertainty that makes their affluent habits and petty prejudices sizzle in the summer sun. In this comedy, Terrence McNally does for the beach house what Chekhov did for the Russian country estate.

The design team includes John Lee Beatty (Sets), Tom Broecker (Costumes), Paul Gallo (Lights) and Darron West (Sound).

Megan Mullally is best known for her two-time Emmy and four-time SAG Award-winning role as 'Karen Walker' on the NBC Series "Will & Grace." Her Broadway credits include 'Grease,' 'How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying' and 'Young Frankenstein.' Most recently she appeared on NBC's "Park and Recreation," on the big screen in 2009's 'Fame' based on the hit 1980 film, and in her critically acclaimed performance as 'Beverly Wilkins' in the West Coast debut of 'The Receptionist' at the Odyssey Theatre. Mullally is currently in development on 'Karen: The Musical,' based on the character she made infamous on "Will & Grace."

Terrence McNally and Joe Mantello most recently collaborated at Roundabout Theatre Company on the comedy 'The Ritz' at Studio 54. Joe Mantello, who is an associate artist at Roundabout Theatre Company, received a Tony Award for staging the 2004 Tony winning production of 'Assassins.' He also directed Noël Coward's Design for Living and Rodgers & Hart's 'Pal Joey.'