The actor was set to play the would-be presidential assassin for the Joe Mantello directed staging of the Stephen Sondheim-John Weidman musical when it was slated for a 2001 Broadway run. The production was postponed following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Gemignani will make his Broadway debut in the role created by Greg Germann in the original Off-Broadway production. Gemignani was recently seen in the world premiere of Marty in Boston and has appeared regionally in Zorba!, Brigadoon, Guys and Dolls, Jekyll and Hyde, Singin' in the Rain, Fiddler on the Roof, Bells Are Ringing, South Pacific and George M!

Assassins, which debuted at Playwrights Horizons in 1990, centers on nine presidential assassins and would-be assassins. Tony Award winner Joe Mantello (Wicked, Take Me Out ) will direct. Paul Gemignani (Into The Woods, Kiss Me, Kate) will serve as musical director.

Beginning previews March 19, 2004, the long-awaited staging will open at Roundabout's new musical home Studio 54, April 22, 2004. This production will mark the musical's Broadway premiere.

Neil Patrick Harris will lead the cast as John F. Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald and Balladeer. Playbill On-Line previously reported actor-comedian Mario Cantone (The Violet Hour) is set to star as Samuel Byck. Michael Cerveris (Tommy) told PBOL he is slated to play John Wilkes Booth — a role set to be played (in 2001) by Douglas Sills (Little Shop of Horrors).

Tickets will be made available Feb. 23, 2004 through (212) 719-1300 or online at www.roundabouttheatre.org. The Studio 54 box office will open for Assassins March 5, 2004.