Wendt hospitalized, leaves cast of ‘Odd Couple’

Northlight Theatre announced Tuesday that George Wendt has left the cast of “The Odd Couple” for medical reasons.

Chicago area veteran Marc Grapey (“The Iceman Cometh,” “Equivocation”) will take over the role of slovenly sports writer Oscar Madison opposite Tim Kazurinsky’s neatnik Felix Ungar in the Neil Simon comedy. It begins previews Friday, Nov. 2, at Skokie’s North Shore Center for the Performing Arts.

Grapey, who understudied the role of Felix during 2005’s revival starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, was slated to play Murray the Cop. That role has not yet been recast.

Wendt, best known for his role as Norm on “Cheers,” was hospitalized Sunday with chest pains, said Northlight executive director Timothy Evans in a prepared statement.

“George is family to us at Northlight and we wish him well for a complete and speedy recovery ... He will be missed in the rehearsal room and onstage,” said director BJ Jones in a prepared statement.