Lips Together, Teeth Apart Now Postponed

The Roundabout Theatre Company announced today that, due to Megan Mullally's sudden departure yesterday, the upcoming production of Terrence McNally's play Lips Together, Teeth Apart has now been postponed. Said Roundabout artistic director Todd Haimes: “We could not find a way to maintain the production schedule under these circumstances. We are now exploring options to produce a show for our subscribers as soon as possible.” Theater wags can only speculate on exactly what happened, as rumors have alternately suggested that director Joe Mantello was too demanding and that Megan Mullally was being too difficult (possibly wanting to replace one of her co-stars - most likely Broadway newcomer Patton Oswalt). Although it is difficult to replace an actor two weeks into the rehearsal process, it could have been done as long as Roundabout delayed the production schedule, which is what they stated they would do yesterday after Mullally dropped out. The fact that they changed their tune today most likely means that either Mullally's leaving was just a symptom of bigger problems already happening with the show, or else it probably means that losing such a big star was simply too detrimental to ticket sales. Current ticket holders for Lips Together, Teeth Apart can rest assured that their refunds will be automatically processed, or else they will be contacted by Roundabout.

Megan Mullally Drops Out of Lips Together, Teeth Apart

Roundabout Theatre Company has just released a statement saying that Megan Mullally, one of the stars of the upcoming Roundabout revival of Terrence McNally's four-hander Lips Together, Teeth Apart, has dropped out of the production. Statements from Roundabout artistic director Todd Haimes and from McNally indicate surprise and upset at Mullally's exit, which is happening two full weeks into the production's rehearsal, but word on the street is that Mullally has been clashing with director Joe Mantello, who has a reputation for being hard on actors. With this loss, Lips Together, Teeth Apart will have to delay its first preview (originally scheduled for April 9). A replacement is due to be announced shortly. Mullally herself has yet to make a statement about the cause of her departure.