Aaron Tveit to Exit Menier Chocolate Factory's ASSASSINS Next Month; Replacement in the Wings

The Menier Chocolate Factory today announces that Anna Francolini and Michael Xavier will join the cast of Jamie Lloyd's critically acclaimed production of Stephen Sondheim's Assassins.

Michael Xavier will take over the role of John Wilkes Booth from Aaron Tveit. Tveit leaves the run due to a change in schedule for his television series Graceland, which has been brought forward.

Anna Francolini plays Sara Jane Moore from 10 February, with Catherine Tate returning to the role on 24 February to complete the run at the Menier. Tate leaves the role for 2 weeks to fulfil pre-contractual filming commitments.

Thirteen people have tried to kill the president of the United States. Four have succeeded. These murderers and would-be murderers are generally dismissed as maniacs and misfits who have little in common with each other, and nothing in common with the rest of us. Assassins suggests otherwise...

Anna Francolini's theatre work includes Our Town (Almeida Theatre), The Day We Sang, A View from the Bridge (Royal Exchange), Mare Rider (Arcola Theatre), Victor Victoria (Southwark Playhouse), Caroline, or Change (National Theatre) and Merrily We Roll Along and Company (Donmar Warehouse). For television, her work includes Vera, Portrait, New Tricks, Rome, Lie With Me and Down to Earth; and for film, The Christmas Candle, The Final Curtain, Topsy Turvey and Z.

Michael Xavier's theatre credits include The Pajama Game (Shaftesbury Theatre), The Sound of Music, Into the Woods - Olivier Award nomination for Best Supporting Role in a Musical (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre), Hello, Dolly! (Curve), Soho Cinders (Soho Theatre), Wonderful Town (Royal Exchange), Love Story - Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical (Minerva and Duchess Theatre), Oklahoma! (Chichester Festival Theatre),Spamalot (Palace Theatre), The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty's Theatre), and My Fair Lady (Theatre Royal Drury Lane). For film, his work includes Never Let Go and Muppets Most Wanted.

Photo by Jennifer Broski

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