A spokesperson for the touring production confirmed that the play — based on the famed 1967 film — will begin a tour this year. No casting details were available at press time, although tour dates will include Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University in Indianapolis (Nov. 25-30, 2003) and The Louisville Palace in Louisville (Dec.9-14). The play, which began its stage life in London, began Broadway previews March 15, 2002, at the Plymouth Theatre and opened April 4, 2002. The drama was also a box-office hit in pre-Broadway engagements in Baltimore, Toronto and Boston.

Directed and adapted by Terry Johnson, The Graduate played a total of 380 performances and 24 previews on Broadway. The original cast boasted Kathleen Turner as the infamous Mrs. Robinson with an even more infamous nude scene. Others in the original cast included “American Pie” star Jason Biggs as Benjamin Braddock and Alicia Silverstone as Elaine Robinson. Turner was eventually succeeded in the role by “Sopranos” star Lorraine Bracco.

Directed by Mike Nichols, the original film cast Anne Bancroft as Mrs. Robinson, Dustin Hoffman as Benjamin Braddock and Katharine Ross as Elaine Robinson. Nichols won an Academy Award for Best Director, and the film also received Oscar nominations for Hoffman, Bancroft and Ross as well as Best Cinematography (Robert Surtees), Best Picture (Lawrence Turman) and Best Writing (screenplay based on material from another medium—Calder Willingham and Buck Henry).