Sweet Switch: Jenna Elfman May Replace Jane Krakowski in Nine on Broadway

By Ernio Hernandez
13 Aug 2003

Jenna Elfman.
Jenna Elfman.

Jenna Elfman, star of television's "Dharma and Greg," is in discussions to replace Tony Award winner Jane Krakowski in the Broadway revival of Nine, a Roundabout spokesperson confirmed.

Elfman was the first actress mentioned for the title role in the Broadway-bound revival of Sweet Charity to be produced by Barry and Fran Weissler and Clear Channel Entertainment. Marisa Tomei was later announced for the show's workshop, but, in an ironic twist, was replaced by Krakowski.

The musical is based on the screenplay "Nights of Cabiria" by Federico Fellini — whose film "8 1/2" serves as source material for Nine.

Elfman has made a name for herself as Dharma in her five-year stint on the former ABC sitcom. Since the series' cancellation, the actress is avidly pursuing other ventures: "I have many projects in the works that I am really excited about. They include film and theatre," she said on her website (www.jennaelfman.com). Also a classically trained ballerina, the actress has starred in such films as "Grosse Pointe Blank," "Can't Hardly Wait," "Edtv," "Keeping the Faith" and "Town and Country." She will be seen next in "Looney Tunes: Back in Action," set for a Nov. 14 release. Nine would mark her Broadway debut.

The new David Leveaux staging of Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit's Nine casts the Spanish-born actor Antonio Banderas opposite a cast of women including Chita Rivera, Jane Krakowski, Laura Benanti and Mary Stuart Masterson.

Banderas and Krakowski will leave the staging, Oct. 5. John Stamos is among the actors currently being considered to replace Banderas. Rebecca Luker (The Music Man) was just announced to replace Benanti as Claudia, Sept. 2. Benanti leaves the Roundabout production to begin rehearsals for her next Broadway stint, in the upcoming Manhattan Theatre Club staging of Richard Greenberg's The Violet Hour. No other replacements have been confirmed.

Nine began performances at Broadway's Eugene O'Neill Theatre March 21 and opened April 10 for a limited run originally scheduled through June 29.

Roundabout Theatre Company's Broadway revival of Nine, plays at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre, 230 West 49 St. Tickets are currently available for dates through Jan. 4, 2004. For tickets, call (212) 239-6200 or click here.