Annie Potts drops out of Alliance Theatre's 'Steel Magnolias' cast

Annie Potts was set to play the role of M'Lynne in the Alliance Theatre production of "Steel Magnolias," running Oct. 22 to Nov. 9. Contributed. HANDOUT PHOTO - NOT FOR RESALE

Credit: Yvonne Zusel

Credit: Yvonne Zusel

Annie Potts was set to play the role of M'Lynne in the Alliance Theatre production of "Steel Magnolias," running Oct. 22 to Nov. 9. Contributed. HANDOUT PHOTO - NOT FOR RESALE

It was a "Designing Women" reunion that wasn't meant to be -- Annie Potts, who played Mary Jo Shively on the much-loved sitcom, has withdrawn from the cast of the Alliance Theatre's production of "Steel Magnolias." The show is being directed by her "Women" co-star Judith Ivey, who played B.J. Poteet, and also features "Girls" actress Becky Ann Baker, "The Wire" actress Deirdre Lovejoy and stage actresses Sarah Stiles and Zoe Winters.

Potts, who was set to play the role of matriarch M'Lynn, dropped out of the cast due to health considerations following knee surgery, according to a press release from the Alliance Theatre. She will be replaced by Beth Broderick, who has acted in the TV shows "Sabrina, The Teenage Witch," "Under the Dome" and "Lost."

The cast is currently in rehearsals for the show, which is will run Oct. 22-Nov. 9.