Hal Linden, originally announced to star in the stage version of Mitch Albom's "Tuesdays With Morrie" at The Colonial Theatre October 18 - 30, has withdrawn from the production citing illness in his family.

Replacing him in the title role will be distinguished actor Harold Gould, perhaps best known to television audiences as Rhoda Morgenstern's father on "Rhoda" and Rose's mobster boyfriend on "The Golden Girls."

Gould recently appeared in "Freaky Friday" opposite Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan. He has also been seen on screen in "The Sting," Woody Allen's "Love and Death" and Mel Brooks' "Silent Movie."

TV trivia fans will know that Gould starred in a 50's segment of the series "Love American Style" that was eventually developed into the long-running hit ABC series, "Happy Days." Ritchie Cunningham's father would ultimately be played by Tom Bosley.

In addition to the change, Broadway in Boston also announced the casting of Dominic Fumusa as author/journalist Mitch Albom. An alumnus of Joe Mantello's off-Broadway production of "Take Me Out," Fumusa has also been seen opposite Marisa Tomei in "Wait Until Dark" and in the Roundabout Theatre production of "A Flea In Her Ear."

Regularly appearing on The New York Times bestseller list with more than five million copies sold, "Tuesday With Morrie" is the inspirational, autobiographical story of Albom and his former college professor Morrie Schwartz. Sixteen years after graduation, when Mitch learns that Morrie is battling Lou Gehrig's Disease, he reunited with his old professor for a final visit that turns into a weekly pilgrimage and an extraordinary "last class" on the meaning of life.

The book has been adapted for the stage by Albom and Jeffrey Hatcher. Albom's most recent book is The Five People You Meet In Heaven -- also a bestseller.

Tickets for "Tuesdays With Morrie" will go on sale to the public on Sunday, September 11.

-- OnStage Boston

08/25/05

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