'Diner' Broadway opening pushed to fall

The musical based on the film "Diner" has postponed its Broadway opening, The Associated Press reports.

Producers said late Sunday night that the Kathleen Marshall-directed show with songs by Sheryl Crow will make its debut on Broadway in the fall, instead of the spring.

Producer Scott Zeiger in a statement said a four-week workshop of the show in November got good feedback and that early fall dates work better for all involved.

Set in Baltimore on Christmas 1959, the story explores the lives of a circle of friends in their early 20s. Barry Levinson, who wrote and directed the 1982 film, adapted it into the new musical.

In other theater news:

Maura Tierney ("ER," "NewsRadio") will make her Broadway debut as the wife of TomHanks' character in Nora Ephron's play "Lucky Guy," the AP reports. In the play, which begins previews March 1, Hanks plays Mike McAlary, a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for Newsday and the Daily News.

Bette Midler will return to Broadway for the first time in 30 years to play a legendary Hollywood agent in the new play, "I'll Eat You Last: A Chat With Sue Mengers," the Wrap.com reports. The play will open April 24.

"Mary Poppins" will end performances in March at the New Amsterdam Theatre and eventually be replaced by a musical adapted from the film "Aladdin," an official close to the show's producers said Monday. The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak before the official announcement.