Edward Albee's Tony-winning play The Goat has cancelled its performances from Sept. 2 to Sept. 12. Original stars Mercedes Ruehl and Bill Pullman were to have given their last performances Sept. 8, with Sally Field and Bill Irwin arriving on Sept. 13.
However, Ruehl and Pullman will now depart after the Sept. 1 show, it was announced Aug. 14. The Golden theatre will remain dark for the week and a half preceding the first bow of Field and Irwin.
Field will play the headstrong, passionate wife of Irwin, an architect who reveals that he's having an affair — with a goat named Sylvia.
Supporting players Stephen Rowe and Jeffrey Carlson will continue in their roles.
Field is the star of such films as "Smokey and the Bandit," "Mrs. Doubtfire," "Places in the Heart" and "Norma Rae." She won Oscars for the latter two. Irwin is the New Vaudeville clown who has starred in self-styled vehicles such as Largely New York and Fool Moon.
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Best known for his landmark Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Albee recently enjoyed a well-received revival of his Tiny Alice at Off-Broadway's Second Stage. The remounting of the drama — which was reviled in its 1963 premiere — was embraced by many critics and, as a result, extended its run. His Occupant and All Over, the latter at the Roundabout's Gramercy Theatre, have also been revived in the 2001-02 season.
Ruehl won a Tony Award for Lost in Yonkers and an Academy Award for "The Fisher King." Last season, she starred as Martha opposite Patrick Stewart in Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at the Guthrie Theatre. Other theatre credits include The Rose Tattoo and Other People's Money.
Known for roles in "While You Were Sleeping," "Lost Highway" and "Independence Day," Pullman played Off-Broadway in Curse of the Starving Class and Life and Limb. He appeared in Los Angeles in All My Sons.
Elizabeth Ireland McCann, Daryl Roth, Terry Allen Kramer, Scott Rudin, Fred Zollo, Carole Shorenstein Hays, Scott Rudin and Fred Zollo produce The Goat. David Esbjornson (The Play About the Baby, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) is the director. Designers are John Arnone (set), Kenneth Posner (lighting), Elizabeth Hope Clancy (costumes) and Mark Bennett (sound). Previews began Feb. 16.
Tickets are $65-$75. For reservations, call (212) 239-6200. The Goat plays at the Golden Theatre, where it opened March 10.
