Rhea Perlman Replaces Rosie O’Donnell in off-Broadway Role

NEW YORK — Rosie O’Donnell will not be returning to the stage in February after all.

The actress, comedian and talk show host has withdrawn from the New Group’s production of “Good for Otto” due to illness. The production announced Friday that Rhea Perlman will replace her in the role of Nora, the foster mother of a daughter with severe depression.

“Good for Otto,” written by David Rabe, was set to be O’Donnell’s first steady role in an off-Broadway play. In 2005 she played Golde in “Fiddler on the Roof” on Broadway; before that she had roles in “Grease” and “Seussical.”

Perlman won four Emmy Awards as the acerbic waitress Carla Tortelli in NBC’s “Cheers.” She’s appeared onstage in “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife,” “The Exonerated,” and “Boeing-Boeing.”

She joins a cast that includes F. Murray Abraham, Amy Madigan and Ed Harris, with Scott Elliott directing. Rehearsals are currently underway, with previews scheduled to begin Feb. 20 for a March 8 opening at the Pershing Square Signature Center.