Alternative Repertory Theatre Drops Hard-to-Cast Musical

The Alternative Repertory Theatre has dropped Lorna Hill’s “Yalla Bitch,” an original coming-of-age musical about a black woman, because of casting difficulties.

The storefront troupe hopes to replace the play with Peter Nichols’ “A Day in the Death of Joe Egg,” a harrowing 1967 comedy about a British couple coping with their severely handicapped child. ART spokeswoman Amy Larson said Tuesday that the company is “waiting to hear from Nichols’ agent” and if the rights are secured, “Joe Egg” will run April 27 to June 2 with Joel Cotter directing.

“Yalla Bitch” had been scheduled from April 6 to May 26 with Patricia L. Terry directing. Several auditions for the all-black play had failed to turn up any black actresses. “We finally got a cast and started rehearsing,” Larson said. “Then one of the women had to drop out. That’s when we realized it was not meant to be.”

Larson said ART hopes to do “Yalla Bitch” next season.