That role will now be played by Guthrie veteran Raye Birk, who was recently seen as Scrooge in the theatre's holiday production of A Christmas Carol.

Directed by Gary Gisselman, A Delicate Balance will begin previews Jan. 10, 2009, with an official opening scheduled for Jan. 16. Performances will continue through March 1.

The cast will feature Margaret Daly and Birk as the dysfunctional suburban couple Agnes and Tobias, respectively, with Charity Jones as Julia, Stephen Yoakam as Harry, Angela Timberman as Edna and Candy Buckley as Claire.

"Over the course of a weekend," read A Delicate Balance press notes, "and with the help of numerous cocktails, Agnes (Daly) and Tobias (Birk) try to maintain the 'delicate balance' between self-destruction and survival, while providing refuge and a measure of comfort to family and friends in their suburban home. When their adult daughter Julia (Jones) returns home after her fourth failed marriage, and two friends Harry (Yoakam) and Edna (Timberman) move in unexpectedly, many well-masked feelings and opinions are finally vented. Thanks in part to a well-stocked liquor cabinet, and the permanent presence Agnes's alcoholic sister Claire (Buckley), sparks fly and the balance of their family life begins to topple."

The creative team also includes John Arnone (set designer), David Kay Mickelsen (costume designer), Don Darnutzer (lighting designer), Reid Rejsa (sound designer), Carla Steen (dramaturg), Lucinda Holshue (voice and dialect coach), Elizabeth R. MacNally (stage manager), Rob Goudy (assistant director) and Justin Hossle (assistant stage manager). The Guthrie is located at 818 South 2nd Street (at Chicago Avenue), in downtown Minneapolis. To purchase tickets call (612) 377-2224 or (877) 44-STAGE or visit www.guthrietheater.org.