According to a press statement, Chenoweth has withdrawn "due to unforeseen television filming commitments following the resolution of the Hollywood writers strike." Chenoweth is part of the cast of the new ABC series "Pushing Daisies," which is scheduled to resume filming in June following the recent strike. Instead, American soprano Anna Christy, who recently made her U.K. operatic debut in ENO's Lucia di Lammemoor, will sing the role on June 23, 25, 27, 28 and the matinee only on June 29. Casting of the role for the remaining performances will be announced later.

This ENO co-production, which has already played at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris and Teatro alla Scala in Milan, is directed by Robert Carsen (who previously directed the premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Beautiful Game in Britain) and choreographed by Rob Ashford (whose U.K. credits include the Donmar's Parade, Evita and Guys and Dolls).

The British tenor Toby Spence sings the title role with National Theatre actor Alex Jennings (recently seen in Present Laughter there, as Doctor Pangloss/Voltaire), and Beverley Klein (most recently in the West End in Fiddler on the Roof) as the Old Woman.

The production runs in rep to July 12.

The box office is now open. To book call 0871 911 0200; for more information visit www.eno.org.