The Ritz: first preview postponed to 15 Sep, Ashlie Atkinson replaces Caroline Aaron

The Roundabout Theatre Company have announced that the first preview of their Broadway revival of Terrence McNally�s comedy The Ritz, has been delayed by one day.

The comedy, which was to begin previews on 14 Sep 2007 at Studio 54, will now have its first preview on 15 Sep 2007. The comedy will still open at Studio 54 on 11 Oct 2007, and run through to 2 Dec 2007 as originally scheduled.

A press statement informs ticket holders for the 14 Sep performance to contact the point of purchase for exchanges and refunds.

The delay is due to a cast change, which sees Ashlie Atkinson replace Caroline Aaron in the role of Vivian Proclo. There has been no reason provided for the late change of cast.

Ashlie Atkinson will be making her Broadway debut in the production, she was nominated for a Theatre World Award for her portrayal of 'Helen' in Neil LaBute's 'Fat Pig' (2004) which played at Lucille Lortel Theatre. She was recently played Midge in Second Stage Theatre' production of The Butcher of Baraboo (2007).

Directed by Joe Mantello, The Ritz also features Rosie Perez as Googie Gomez, Kevin Chamberlin as Gaetano Proclo and Brooks Ashmanskas as Chris, Patrick Kerr as Claude Perkins, Lucas Near-Verbrugghe as Tiger, Terrence Riordan as Michael Brick, Seth Rudetsky as Sheldon, Adam Sietz as Abe, David Turner as Duff and Lenny Venito as Carmine Vespucci.

Ensemble members: Ryan Idol, Teddy Coluca, Billy Magnussen, Mark Leydorf, Matthew Montelongo, Angela Pietropinto, Jeffrey Evan Thomas, Josh Breckenridge, Justin Clynes, Andrew Cooksey, Lukas Hassel, Nick Mayo and Dillon Porter (Patron).

The Ritz is an over-the-top comedy that takes place in a bathhouse in Manhattan. When Gaetano Proclo needs to hide from mobster Carmine Vespucci, he escapes to the Ritz. When Gaetano realizes the Ritz is a gay bathhouse and not a Turkish bath, he pretends to be a big-time Broadway producer to keep suspicions low. When Carmine locates Gaetano what transpires is wild, manic mayhem.

The ensemble will play patrons of the Bath House, notable amongst them is Ryan Idol, a gay porn film star of the 1990's, who is making his Broadway debut. Idol has previously appeared off-Broadway as a replacement cast member in the comedy 'Making Porn'(1996).

The design team includes Christopher Gattelli (Choreography), Scott Pask (Sets), William Ivey Long (Costumes), Peggy Eisenhauer and Jules Fisher (lighting) and Tony Meola (sound).

The Ritz premiered on Broadway in 1975 at the Longacre Theatre. In 1976, the play was made into a feature film starring Jack Weston, Rita Moreno and Jerry Stiller.