Aaron Tveit Will Leave London’s Assassins Early for More Graceland; Michael Xavier in the Wings

Aaron Tveit will leave the Menier Chocolate Factory production of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s Assassins on February 8. It was initially reported that the Broadway.com Audience Choice Award winner would star in the London production through March 7—when the show is set to end. Tveit bows out early due to a schedule change for his USA series Graceland (indicating his character is not dead, as last season’s cliffhanger suggested). Michael Xavier will assume the role of John Wilkes Booth from Tveit beginning February 10.

Xavier was nominated for an Olivier for his performance in the Regent’s Park production of Into the Woods and for the West End’s Love Story. He has appeared on stage in The Pajama Game, The Sound of Music, Hello, Dolly!, Soho Cinders, The Phantom of the Opera and My Fair Lady

Additionally, Catherine Tate, who plays Sara Jane Moore, will temporarily leave the production due to pre-contractual filming commitments. From February 10 through February 22, Anna Francolini will assume the role. Her previous stage credits include Our Town, The Day We Sang, A View from the Bridge and Mare Rider.

Featuring a score by Sondheim and a book by Weidman, Assassins is a revue-style musical that examines the people throughout American history who have attempted, whether successfully or not, to assassinate the president of the United States. The cast also includes Stewart Clarke, Harry Morrison and Jamie Parker, Carly Bawden, Simon Lipkin, Mike McShane, Andy Nyman and David Roberts. The Menier production is directed by Jamie Lloyd.