New York-based choreographer Jane Comfort will make her Lyric Opera of Chicago debut in the company's new production of Salome. Comfort replaces English choreographer Denni Sayers, who has withdrawn because of her husband's illness.

Lyric's Salome, which stars soprano Deborah Voigt singing the title role on stage for the first time, runs for nine performances from October 21 to November 21.

Jane Comfort's choreography has been seen widely on and off-Broadway as well as at New York's modern dance venues. She is artistic director of Jane Comfort and Company, a dance theatre troupe she founded in 1982. Comfort is also a writer and director whose work has been produced throughout the United States and in Europe and Latin America.

Sayers's work was previously seen at Lyric Opera of Chicago in Der fliegende Hollдnder, Parsifal, Sweeney Todd and The Pirates of Penzance.

Other members of Lyric's Salome cast include mezzo-soprano Judith Forst as Herodias, tenor Kim Begley as Herod, bass-baritone Alan Held as Jokanaan (John the Baptist) and tenor Joseph Kaiser as Narraboth. Andrew Davis conducts the production; Francesca Zambello directs; sets are by George Tsypin; costumes by Tatiana Noginova and lighting by James F. Ingalls.