The Times They Are A-Changin' Lisa Brescia replaces leading lady Caren Lyn Manuel

Lisa Brescia is the new leading lady in the Broadway musical The Times They Are A-Changin'. She assumes the role of Cleo from Caren Lyn Manuel. There has been no reason provided by the producers for Ms Manuel's departure.

Lisa Brescia was the understudy for the role, but will now take center stage when she makes her first appearance on 3 Oct 2006, which is the musical's 10th preview performance.

Ms Brescia will be the third actress to play the role of Cleo. Jenn Colella, currently staring in High Fidelity, originally played the role when the musical had its world premiere at San Deigo's Old Globeearlier this year.

Ms Brescia was last seen on Broadway when she assumed the role of Marian in Andew Lloyd Webber's The Woman in White (2005), during Maria Friedman's illness. Her other Broadway credits include playing a disciple in a revival of Jesus Christ Superstar (2000) and Amneris in Aida (2000).

The Times They Are A-Changin', the new musical about the timeless tale of a youngman�s coming of age, conceived by Twyla Tharp, with music and lyrics by Bob Dylan, will open on Broadway at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on 26 Oct 2006. It began previews on 25 Sep 2006.

The Times They Are A-Changin' is set inside a dream world populated by the performers of a low-rent traveling circus, run by the domineering Captain Arab and featuring Coyote, his rebellious son, and Cleo, the animal trainer caught between the two men.

The Times They Are A-Changin' also stars Michael Arden and Thom Sesma, and features Lisa Gajda, Charlie Hodges, Luke Longacre. Jason McDole, Jonathan Nosan, John Selya and Ron Todorowski. Completing the cast are Alex Brady, Lisa Brescia, Marcus Choi, John Herrera, Alaine Kashian, Keith Kuhl, Marty Lawson, Joseph Putignano and Jason Wooten.

The production features scenic and costume design by Santo Loquasto, lighting design by Donald Holder and sound design by Peter Hylenski.

The Times They Are A-Changin' has orchestrations by Bob Dylan and Michael Dansicker, with music adapted and supervised by Mr. Dansicker and musical direction by Henry Aronson.

The musical is presented on Broadway by James L. Nederlander, Hal Luftig/Warren Trepp, Debra Black, Terry Allen Kramer, Patrick Catullo and Rick Steiner.