By Ernio Hernandez
15 May 2003

Actor Roy Scheider ("Jaws") will replace Anthony LaPaglia as the title role in Christopher Trumbo's new work Trumbo, May 19 opposite Jeffrey Donovan in the production at the Westside Theatre. Aidan Quinn has also been added to the rotating cast lineup.

Scheider is perhaps best known for his role in the film "Jaws." The actor has appeared on the Broadway stage in Tartuffe and Betrayal. Also known for such other film credits as "The French Connection," "Marathon Man," "All That Jazz," and "The Myth of Fingerprints." LaPaglia — a Tony Award winner for A View From The Bridge — canceled his appearance due to a scheduling conflict.

Quinn appeared in the 1988 Broadway revival of A Streetcar Named Desire. The actor's other credits include such films as "Desperately Seeking Susan," "Stakeout," "Benny & Joon," "Legends of the Fall" and "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein."

Culled from the letters of legendary blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo — the playwright's father — Trumbo tells the story of one of the "Hollywood Ten" who went before the House Un-American Activities Committee. After refusing to answer questions about his political affiliations, Trumbo was fired from MGM and imprisoned for a year.

Peter Askin (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Sexaholix... a love story) directs the work presented by Claudia Catania and the Westside Theatre with the help of People For the American Way. The actors utilize a script-in-hand technique as employed in such other rotating cast works as The Vagina Monologues and The Guys.

Bill Irwin as well as returning stars Richard Dreyfuss and Tim Robbins are also scheduled to play the title role. Actors Ed Harris, Chris Cooper, Alec Baldwin, Eddie Izzard and Nathan Lane were featured in previous performances. Paul Giamatti, Michael Silver and Gordon MacDonald have alternately played the show's other role of son/narrator Christopher Trumbo. The current lineup is as follows:

Scheider (Betrayal, "Jaws") - May 19

Dreyfuss (Death and the Maiden, "Mr. Holland's Opus") - May 26

Irwin (Fool Moon, "My Blue Heaven") - June 2

Robbins (The Exonerated, "Bull Durham") - June 9

Quinn (Streetcar..., "Benny & Joon") - June 16

For tickets to Trumbo at the Westside Theatre, 407 W. 43rd Street, call (212) 239-6200 or click here.