"The cast and I were excited to work with David," said artistic director David Saint in a statement. "However, his family must come first and we wish him well. Terry Layman was the understudy to the late Tom Aldredge in the Broadway production, going on a number of times, and is very familiar with the role. We are extremely fortunate that he was willing and able to take on the part on such short notice."

Klugman, who was originally cast in the role, withdrew due to illness; he felt that he needed to be at his Los Angeles home and close to his personal physician in order to be able to make a complete recovery. The veteran actor turns 90 next month.

In addition to Layman, the jury-room drama's cast includes George Street veterans Jim Bracchitta (Come Back, Come Back, Wherever You Are), David Adkins (The Seafarer), Lee Sellars (The Subject Was Roses), David Schramm (GSP's The Seafarer and TV's "Wings"), Jonathan Hadary (Jolson Sings Again and Broadway's Gypsy) and John Bolger (Lips Together, Teeth Apart), as well as four-time Tony Award nominee Gregg Edelman (City of Angels, Passion), Scott Drummond (Mother Courage and Her Children at La Jolla Playhouse), James Rebhorn (TV's "Homeland" and "White Collar"), Michael Sirow (the films "Meskada," "Union Square"), Jonathan C. Kaplan (Broadway's Falsettos, The Diary of Anne Frank) and Andrew Nogasky (Brink! at Actors Theatre of Louisville).

Layman has also been seen on Broadway in Proof, The Ride Down Mount Morgan and The Rehearsal.

Performances will begin March 13 and continue through April 8 as scheduled. For tickets and information, contact the George Street Playhouse Box Office at (732) 246-7717. George Street Playhouse is located at 9 Livingston Avenue in the heart of downtown New Brunswick.