Jan Maxwell departs Entertaining Mr. Sloane

By Amy Somensky Apr 27, 2006, 14:51 GMT

Jan Maxwell

New York: Tony winner Jan Maxwell has left the Off-Broadway production of Entertaining Mr. Sloane. Barbara Sims will play the role of Kath through the end of the run, May 21st.

The reason for her departure has been debated.

A production statement reads, "Maxwell gave the production three weeks notice last week. She was asked to reconsider her decision to quit and stay on for the remaining two weeks of the subscription run beyond that, which she declined. After Ms. Maxwell made it clear that she did not want to stay, Roundabout decided for the benefit of the entire Sloane company to let her know that she need not return to the production (of course receiving payment for the notice period of her contract) which she gladly accepted."

A recent article in the New York Post states that the reason for Maxwell's departure was the behavior of her co-star Alec Baldwin. She is quoted in the paper as saying that he (Baldwin) "created an unhealthy and oppressive situation [that made her fear for her] physical safety, mental health and artistic integrity." Baldwin countered the alligations to the paper saying that he apologized to Maxwell for some regrettable actions, and that once she had given notice, he asked her not to leave.

In response to the alligations, a Roundabout statement read, "Mr. Baldwin has been totally professional in all dealings with the company and management throughout the engagement of Entertaining Mr. Sloane and we are delighted to have him in the show."

Scott Ellis directs the dark comedy by Joe Orton which is set to run through May 21st.

Also starring in the production is Chris Carmack and Richard Easton. 

In Entertaining Mr. Sloane a landlady invites an attractive, mischievous and dangerous man back to her house where she and her brother compete for his favors. The stranger's past, however, in the form of the siblings' elderly father, threatens to catch up with him.

For Entertaining Mr. Sloane tickets visit www.roundabouttheatre.org.