Issue #182: November 15, 2006

• TV’s Monk Tony Shalhoub will join Patricia Heaton in Theresa Rebeek’s The Scene when it opens on January 11 at Second Stage.

• It seems the musical tribute to the songs of Bob Dylan didn’t strike a cord with audiences since The Times They Are A-Changin has posted its closing notice after just 28 performances and 35 previews.  Even Twyla Tharp’s track record with Movin’ Out couldn’t save the show, which closes November 19 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre.

• Under the direction of Sam Mendes, Julianne Moore and Bill Nighy star in David Hare’s The Vertical Hour which opens at the Music Box Theater on November 30.

• When the national tour of The Color Purple opens in Chicago April 17 Tony-nominated Felicia P. Fields will reprise her role.

• Torontonian Trey Anthony returned to her British roots when her hit play ‘Da Kink in My Hair premiered on November 8 at the 1,300 seat Hackney Empire Theatre.  The run is only three weeks long but a 2007 UK and European tour is planned and the producers hope the show will wind up with a West End run.  We’ll be keeping tabs on this little jewel.

• Dame Maggie Smith returns to the stage for a 16-week limited run in a revival of Edward Albee’s 1980 play The Lady From Dubuque.

• An all-star cast including Cillian Murphy, Neve Campbell, Kristen Johnston and Michael McKean  takes to the stage in Love Song which opens on December 4.