Last week, Maxwell gave the production three weeks notice. "She was asked to reconsider her decision to quit and stay on for the remaining two weeks of the subscription run beyond that, which she declined," according to a production spokesperson. "Roundabout decided for the benefit of the entire Sloane company to let her know that she need not return to the production [with payment for the notice period of her contract], which she gladly accepted."
The New York Post reported that her departure was the result of volatile behavior of her co-star Alec Baldwin. Maxwell was quoted as saying Baldwin "created an unhealthy and oppressive situation [that made her fear for her] physical safety, mental health and artistic integrity." The well-known film and stage actor refutes her reasoning, saying he apologized for some regrettable actions and asked her not to leave.
"Mr. Baldwin has been totally professional in all dealings with the company and management throughout the engagement of Entertaining Mr. Sloane and we are delighted to have him in the show," according to a Roundabout statement.
Scott Ellis (Twelve Angry Men) directs the new staging of the dark comedy which began previews Feb. 17 and opened March 16. The limited engagement runs at the Laura Pels Theatre through May 21. Chris Carmack and Richard Easton also star.
In Entertaining Mr. Sloane, Orton pens a tale of a landlady (Maxwell) who invites the titular "attractive, mischievous and dangerous" man (Carmack) back to her house where she and her brother (Baldwin) "compete for his favors." The stranger's past, however, threatens to catch up with him as the siblings' elderly father (Easton) recalls when they last met. The London-set drama made its Broadway debut in 1965 and was revived in 1996 Off-Broadway. The design team for Entertaining Mr. Sloane includes Allen Moyer (sets), Michael Krass (costumes), Ken Posner (lights) and John Gromada (sound) — who also provides original music.
Baldwin last teamed with Roundabout on the 2004 Broadway revival of Twentieth Century opposite Anne Heche and previously starred in Orton's Loot. The constant screen star has also made room for stage turns includingTrumbo, Loot, Serious Money, the benefit Short Talks on the Universe and the 1992 revival of A Streetcar Named Desire — for which he was Tony Award-nominated. The Long Island native is known for such films as David Mamet's "State and Main" and "Glengarry Glen Ross," Craig Lucas' "Prelude to a Kiss" (reprising his Off-Broadway role), "The Cooler," "The Aviator," "The Hunt for Red October," "Pearl Harbor," "Beetlejuice," the recent "Elizabethtown" and "Fun with Dick and Jane."
Tony Award winner Easton was last seen on the Broadway boards in revivals of The Rivals and Henry IV. More recently he appeared Off-Broadway in Bach at Leipzig. Other credits for the Tony Award winner for his turn The Invention of Love include Noises Off, Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme, Hamlet, The Cherry Orchard, Exit the King, Pickwick and The School for Scandal.
Actress Maxwell was Tony-nominated in 2005 for her turn in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. She previously appeared on Broadway in Sixteen Wounded, The Dinner Party, The Sound of Music, A Doll’s House, Dancing At Lughnasa and City of Angels. She replaced the previously announced Lisa Emery who appears in Abigail's Party Off-Broadway.
Newcomer Carmack is know for his television work on "The O.C.," "Smallville," "Related" and "The Last Ride". He also appears in the upcoming film "Just My Luck" starring Lindsay Lohan.
Tickets to Entertaining Mr. Sloane are available by calling Roundabout Ticket Services at (212) 719-1300 or online at www.roundabouttheatre.org.
