The industrious composer Cy Coleman's (The Life, Little Me) latest project is Ostrovsky, a musical about the Yiddish art theatre. A spokesperson in Coleman's office confirmed the project.

Seasoned borscht belt comic and actor Alan King will play Romeo, Lear and Othello as the title character, a Yiddish tragedian. Coleman and lyricist Avery Corman are in the middle of composition. No target date for a production has been set.

King, who was born in Brooklyn in 1927, has been a popular stand-up for over four decades. Over the past decade or so he has earned acclaim for supporting performances in such movies as "Enemies: A Love Story," "Night and the City" and "Bonfire of the Vanities." His last appearance on Broadway was in The Impossible Years in 1963.

Neil Simon veteran Gene Saks will direct the tuner.

Coleman's other works include Barnum, Sweet Charity and Wildcat. His Little Me is currently receiving a revival at the Roundabout Theatre Company, starring Martin Short and Faith Prince. -- By Robert Simonson