Orphans delays previews and opening night

The Broadway premiere of Lyle Kessler's Orphans has delayed its previews and opening night by one week, following a recently announced cast changed.

Originally scheduled to begin previews at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on 19 Mar 2013 and open on 07 Apr 2013, the show will now previews from 26 Mar 2013 and open on 18 Apr 2013. The drama will still close on 30 Jun 2013 as originally scheduled.

Patrons holding tickets for the cancelled performances should contact their point of purchase for further assistance.

Last week the producers of the Broadway production announced that Ben Foster will join the cast immediately in the role of 'Treat' replacing Shia LeBeouf (who left due to 'creative differences').

Directed by Daniel Sullivan, Orphans also stars Alec Baldwin and Tom Sturridge.

In Orphans, two orphaned brothers are living in a decrepit North Philadelphia row house. Treat (Foster), the eldest, supports his damaged younger sibling by petty thievery, and makes the house a virtual prison for the seemingly simple-minded Phillip (Sturridge). One night he kidnaps a rich older man; Harold (Baldwin) turns out to have his own motives and becomes the father figure the boys have always yearned for.

Orphans premiered in 1983 at The Matrix Theatre in Los Angeles where it won the Drama-Logue Award. Following its 1985 engagement at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre, the play had a successful run at New York's Westside Arts Theatre, and was subsequently produced in London.

Orphans was made into a movie in 1987 starring Albert Finney as 'Henry,' and Matthew Modine as 'Treat'