Behind the Curtain: ‘A Time to Kill,’ ‘First Date’ to close

‘A Time to Kill,’ ‘First Date’ post closing notices

Two new Broadway shows that received less-than-enthusiastic reviews and failed to catch on with ticket buyers posted closing notices on Wednesday afternoon. The courtroom drama “A Time to Kill,” which marked the first John Grisham novel to be adapted to the stage, will close on Nov. 17. The musical “First Date,” which depicts a young pair meeting up at a bar, will also shutter, but not until Jan. 5, perhaps from hopes of selling tickets during the lucrative holiday season.

Tony winner Diane Paulus to helm Cirque du Soleil show

Diane Paulus, who just won a Tony for her circus-themed Broadway revival of “Pippin,” will now stage Cirque du Soleil’s latest spectacle. Titled “Amaluna,” it is described as a tribute to women, involving goddesses, a setup reminiscent of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” and a mostly female cast. It will play the grounds of Citi Field starting March 20.

Jackman weighing offer to join ‘Drowsy Chaperone’ film

In an interview with Yahoo Movies, Hugh Jackman revealed that he has been offered the role of Adolpho, the Latin Lothario, in the upcoming film of the musical “The Drowsy Chaperone,” which stars Geoffrey Rush as Man in Chair, who revels in listening to his favorite cast album and narrates its plot to the audience.

McGregor to make B’way debut in ‘The Real Thing’

Ewan McGregor will make his Broadway debut in the Roundabout’s upcoming revival of Tom Stoppard’s 1984 drama “The Real Thing,” which was originally scheduled to open in the spring but has now been moved to next fall. McGregor previously appeared on the London stage in a revival of “Guys and Dolls.”that did not transfer to New York.

‘Titanic’ concert to feature much of original B’way cast

Manhattan Concert Productions, which produced a starry one-night concert of the musical “Ragtime” at Avery Fisher Hall last season, will now do the same with “Titanic” on Feb. 17. The cast will be made up mainly of members of the original Broadway cast, including Michael Cerveris, Victoria Clark, Brian d’Arcy James, David Garrison and John Bolton.

‘Spider-Man’ writer now working on ‘August Rush’

“Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” book writer Glen Berger has revealed in numerous interviews, while promoting his tell-all “Song of Spider-Man,” that he is at work on a musical adaptation of the 2007 film “August Rush” with songwriter Mark Mancina, who wrote the score of the film. Although no director has been announced, it’s a good bet that it will not be

Julie Taymor.

Barbara Cook cancels Town Hall concert

Barbara Cook’s concert at Town Hall, which was set for Nov. 14 and was being billed as her only concert appearance in New York City this year, has been canceled without explanation. A spokesperson for Town Hall noted that the concert was being presented by an independent company and not Town Hall directly.

Lane to revisit ‘Guys’ role for Carnegie Hall benefitNathan Lane, who played Nathan Detroit in a smash Broadway revival of “Guys and Dolls” two decades ago, will revisit the role in Carnegie Hall’s one-night benefit performance of the musical on April 3. The cast will include Megan Mullally (Miss Adelaide), Patrick Wilson (Sky Masterson) and Sierra Boggess (Sarah Brown).

Spotted?

Barbra Streisand at “Pippin” ? Stephen Sondheim at “Nothing to Hide” ? Angela Lansbury at “Waiting for Godot” ? Jamie Foxx at “Motown.”