Hanks and co-stars begin rehearsing Broadway play, 'Lucky Guy'

NEW YORK, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Rehearsals for the late Nora Ephron's new play "Lucky Guy," starring Tom Hanks in his Broadway debut, began in New York Monday, producers said.

Directed by George C. Wolfe, the show will play a strictly limited engagement at the Broadhurst Theatre. Opening night is set for April 1 and previews are to begin March 1.

"Nora Ephron began her professional career as a reporter at The New York Post in 1962 and 'Lucky Guy,' marks a return to her journalistic roots," a news release said. "Her new play is about the scandal- and graffiti-ridden New York of the 1980s, as told through the story of the charismatic and controversial tabloid columnist Mike McAlary."

The cast also includes Maura Tierney, Christopher McDonald, Peter Gerety, Courtney B. Vance, Peter Scolari and Richard Masur.

The play is the third collaboration between Hanks and Ephron, following the films "Sleepless in Seattle" and "You've Got Mail."

Ephron died last year of cancer. She was 71.