Michael Ball to Play Count Fosco in Broadway's The Woman in White

Michael Ball is set to appear as Count Fosco in the Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Woman in White, a role he first played in the West End staging of the musical. He joins previously announced cast members Maria Friedman, Angela Christian, Jill Paice, Adam Brazier, Ron Bohmer and Walter Charles.

"What's happened to me?" Michael Ball joked to Broadway.com about the villianous role, which finds him in a fat suit and prosthetic double chin. "I used to be this lovely juvenile leading man who gets all the girls and now I'm a fat evil bastard who's only loved by his rat. It's all gone horribly wrong!"

As for that rat, Ball hopes to import Missy, his rodent co-star from the West End production of The Woman in White for Broadway. "I took her on the road with me after I left the show," he said. "She was absolutely lovely, the least problematic co-star I've ever had--although she upstaged me nightly!"

The role of Count Fosco was originated in the London production of The Woman in White by Michael Crawford. When Crawford became ill, Ball stepped into the role, appearing alongside Friedman, Christian and Paice from February 10 through April 30.

Ball has a long history with Lloyd Webber--he starred in Aspects of Love both in London and on Broadway, The Phantom of the Opera in London and was featured at the composer's 50th birthday celebration. His other theatrical credits include Les Miserables, The Pirates of Penzance, Passion and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. In 1999, the actor was presented with the Theatregoers Club of Great Britain's Award for Most Popular Musical Actor of the last 21 years. He has also established himself as a recording artist, releasing a dozen solo albums. He was named The Variety Club of Great Britain's Best Recording Artist in 1998. Before The Woman in White, Ball will be seen on a Gotham stage in the New York City Opera's production of Gilbert & Sullivan's Patience running September 10 through October 5.

The Woman in White, directed by Trevor Nunn, is scheduled to begin performances at the Marquis Theatre on October 28 in preparation for a November 17 opening.