Variety reports that Thomas ("The English Patient," The Seagull), who was to star as Desiree Armfeldt in the Stephen Sondheim-Hugh Wheeler musical, has bowed out of the Paris production. Italian actress Greta Scacchi will step into the role and perform the musical's signature tune, "Send in the Clowns."

Lee Blakeley directs the English-language production that is set to run Feb. 15-20, 2010.

The cast also features Leslie Caron as Madame Armfeldt, Lambert Wilson as Fredrik Egerman, David Curry as Henrik Egerman, Rebecca Bottone as Anne Egerman, Francesca Jackson as Petra, Nicholas Garrett as Count Carl-Magnus Malclom, Deanne Meek as Countess Charlotte Malcolm, Celeste de Veazey as Fredrika Armfeldt, Damian Thantrey as Mr. Lindquist, Kate Valentine as Mrs. Nordstrom, James Edwards as Mr. Erlanson and Daphné Touchais as Mrs. Segstrom.

	Greta Scacchi

Jonathan Stockhammer will conduct the production that has choreography by Andrew George, set design by Rae Smith, costume design by Jo Van Schuppen and lighting by Jenny Cane.

Based on Ingmar Bergman's "Smiles of a Summer Night," the waltz-kissed musical centers on the romantic trysts of fading stage actress Desiree Armfeldt over the course of a weekend in the country.