The show was to have begun previews Nov. 14 at Circle in the Square. Tony Award-winning actress Swoosie Kurtz was announced to star as Susann, the pop-culture figure best known for her novel, "Valley of the Dolls" — and for her penchant for self-promotion. Tony Award-winner Judd Hirsch was set to play Susann's manager-husband, Irving Mansfield, in the play by Mark Hampton and Barbara J. Zitwer, directed by Leonard Foglia (Master Class).

Producer Randall L. Wreghitt credited the postponement "to a delay in certain financing." Doll had previously been aimed at Broadway for in spring 2002, and, later, that fall.

The comedy played previously at Pittsburgh Public Theater (2001) and in the Previews at Duke series at Duke University in North Carolina (2002). Both engagements starred Marlo Thomas and F. Murray Abraham. It played regionally at Long Wharf Theatre earlier this year, starring Dixie Carter as Susann.

The play is set in the couple's living room, but also in dreamy flashbacks. It includes direct-address and monologues, as well as more conventional narrative scenes; the work has been described as somewhat nonlinear.

Director Foglia has been with the play since its first staging. The Broadway cast was also to include Joanne Genelle (who appeared in the show's three regional runs, in multiple roles) and Adrian Rieder (who appeared as protégé Jesus in the February 2002 Duke run and the March 2003 Long Wharf run).