Scrubs' Sarah Chalke to Join the Cast of Modern Orthodox; Hunter Foster Likely
Scrubs' Sarah Chalke will join the cast of Modern Orthodox in April, according to a representative for the actress. She will replace Gretchen Egolf in the role of Hannah, which was originally played by Molly Ringwald. Theater regular Hunter Foster is also likely to become part of the company next month.
A native of Ottawa, Canada, Chalke first became known when she took over the role of Becky Conner on the series Roseanne in 1993. She played the part for two seasons, left for the 1995-1996 season and then returned for the show's final season. Chalke can currently be seen playing neurotic doctor Elliot Reid on the acclaimed NBC sitcom Scrubs, which has been on the air since 2001. Her film credits include All Shook Up, Y2K, Spin Cycle, Kill Me Later, XCU: Extreme Close Up and the upcoming Alchemy.
Foster, who would play Ben in Modern Orthodox, received a Tony nomination for his work as Seymour Krelbourn in Little Shop of Horrors. He originated the role of Bobby Strong in the Broadway and Off-Broadway companies of Urinetown for which he earned Outer Critic Circle and Lortel Award nominations. His other Broadway credits include Grease, Footloose, Les Misérables and The Producers. Foster also toured nationally in Cats, was a member of the Martin Guerre company and appeared in Children of Eden at Paper Mill Playhouse. He can currently be seen in the Kennedy Center production of Mister Roberts.
Just as Chalke plays a doctor on the small screen, she will portray one on the stage as well. Her character in Modern Orthodox is a doctor who has a peaceful home life with Ben, an Upper West Side financial consultant. Then Hershel, a Jewish diamond dealer that has sold Ben an engagement ring, enters their lives and quickly shakes things up.
The play currently stars J. Anthony Crane as Ben, Egolf as Hannah, Amir Arinson as Hershel and Jenn Harris as Rachel. Tony-nominated actor John Cariani is scheduled to take over the role of Hershel on March 15.
