Ebert departs due to a scheduling conflict. The cast will also include Megan McGinnis, Sarah Litzsinger, Tony winner Beth Leavel, Kate Reinders and Leigh Ann Larkin.

Spector earned his Tony nomination for his performance as Barry Mann in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical." The new musical features book, lyrics and music by Tony Award nominee Paul Gordon (Jane Eyre, Daddy Long Legs, Analog & Vinyl).

Nell Balaban will direct with music direction by Matt Perri.

Death — The Musical, according to production notes, concerns Ben, who "in the throes of a slightly premature midlife crisis, desperate to escape his moody girlfriend, and just not feeling too well, flees the city for a quiet weekend in the woods. But on this fateful day, solitude is not on the menu. Suddenly, Ben has company, and begins receiving strange visitations in the form of otherworldly beauties. Are they preparing him for something, or are they just the hallucinations of a midlife meltdown? Either way, these bizarre and hilarious encounters force Ben to contemplate… just what do we really know about life & death… fame & fortune… art & protein shakes."

Larry Lelli is producing.

Industry folk interested in attending should email [email protected] for more information.