Andrea McArdle Drops Out of 'Annie Live!' Role A Week Before The Premiere

Andrea McArdle will not be participating in NBC’s Annie Live! anymore.

The 58-year-old actress, who was Broadway’s original Annie, was set to play Eleanor Roosevelt in the live production, airing next week on the network.

Click inside to read more about why Andrea is out of the show…

Andrea made the announcement that about departing the production in a statement, via NBC and Deadline.

“I am saddened to announce I will not be participating in Annie Live!,” she shared in a statement. “My father is currently in the hospital, and I need to put all of my energy into his health and well-being. I wish everyone involved with the production great success. Break a leg everyone.”

Bob Greenblatt, Executive Producer of Annie Live! said, “We love Andrea McArdle and our entire company is sending best wishes to her and her father. Our Annie, Celina Smith, is thrilled to have met her and she’s excited about following in her incredible footsteps.”

Andrea isn’t the only casting change the production has had. Jane Krakowski has also dropped out for this reason…

Annie Live! is set to premiere on December 2 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. You can meet the full cast here.