The Fox TV Studios work based on the James Patterson novel will be adapted for the small screen by Richard Friedenberg — who is also slated to direct. "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" follows the love story of a New York book editor and the object of her affection, an author (Schaech). When she makes a move to commit to the relationship, the author suddenly leaves her and leaves behind the titular diary penned by a woman (Applegate) to her son. The editor soon finds that the diarist is actually the author's wife and uncovers another secret.

Best known for her role as Kelly Bundy on the television series "Married with Children," Applegate has also appeared in "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy," "Wonderland," "View from the Top," "The Sweetest Thing," "Jesse," "Mars Attacks!" and her Emmy Award-winning guest turn on "Friends." Sweet Charity will mark Applegate's Broadway debut.

Schaech, known for his turn in the film "That Thing You Do!" recently played as the title character in ABC's television movie "Judas." The actor has also been seen in "Hush," "Finding Graceland," "Time of Your Life," "After Sex" and "The Sweetest Thing."

Novelist Patterson serves as executive producer on the movie with Lourdes Diaz (HBO's "And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself").

Sweet Charity as directed by Walter Bobbie (Chicago) will play its out-of town tryout run in Boston, March 15-27, 2005. The revival of the musical composed by Cy Coleman with lyrics by Dorothy Fields and a book by Neil Simon is slated to reach Broadway April 4 for an April 25 opening.