Rehearsals begin in Manhattan Dec. 4 for the Daniel Sullivan directed revival of Herb Gardner's Tony Award-winning I'm Not Rappaport, which stars Judd Hirsch and Ben Vereen and plays three regional nonprofits in 2002, beginning with Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami Jan. 1.

Sullivan and Hirsch reunite as collaborators on the seriocomic 1986 play about two seniors who meet in Central Park and confront a changing world — embodied by drug dealers, punks, an angry daughter and an ex-boss. Hirsch won the Tony Award for playing crusty socialist Nat. Vereen, who plays Midge, is known for his Tony Award-winning turn in Pippin, plus his recent work in Fosse on Broadway.

Gardner won the 1986 Best Play Tony Award for I'm Not Rappaport. Also recreating their 1986 work are designers Tony Walton (set) and Tony-winner for Rappaport Pat Collins (lighting).

I'm Not Rappaport plays Coconut Grove Jan. 1-20, 2002, Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC, Jan. 23-Feb. 17 and Paper Mill in Millburn, NJ Feb. 20-March 24.

Director Sullivan won the Best Director Tony Award in 2001 for Broadway's Proof. If reviews are good and schedules can be arranged, there is talk in the community that this Rappaport might have a wider future. The cast includes Anthony Arkin (Danforth), Mimi Lieber (Clara), Steven Boyer (Gilley), Jeb Brown (Cowboy), Tanya Clarke (Laurie).

Sound designers are Duncan Robert Edwards and David F. Shapiro. Theresa Snider-Stein is costume designer.