"Following a reading in October, we found that the ambitions of the piece are even greater than we originally thought, and we want to take every opportunity to fully realize those ambitions," explained Esbjornson about the change. "That will require additional time, energy and resources, and we believe that Temple will be best served by postponing our plans for premiering the musical in order to continue its development with a plan toward full production in the 2006-07 season."

The scheduled run of Temple — March 2-April 1, 2006 at the company's Bagley Wright Theatre — will now be filled with a production of Private Lives with the same planned director, Gabriel Barre. "By having Gabe in residence this spring, we will have the benefit of his talents on both Private Lives and the continued development we plan for Temple," stated Esbjornson.

Featuring music by Norman Durkee with a book and lyrics by Silvia Pet, Temple is based on the real life of a girl who did not speak until she was three. The child grew up — despite her autism — to achieve success, a doctorate and more, "this world premiere musical celebrates the determined ingenuity of a miraculous spirit through the true story of Temple Grandin."

  Private Lives tells the stories of two newlywed couples on honeymoon in the south of France in the 1920s. After cocktails on the terrace, both find they have more in common than adjoining suites.

The remainder of Seattle Rep's lineup is as follows: