Folliculi, Follicula...

With the mid-spring closing of Fuddy Meers, rumors abounded that two shows were seriously considering Off-Broadway's Minetta Lane Theatre: Keith Glover's Thunder Knocking on the Door and Christopher Durang's Betty's Summer Vacation. However, Thunder's producers didn't feel that show was ready for prime time, and plans for Durang's show remain up in the air. Instead, August will bring a new musical called Imperfect Chemistry, with music by Albert Tapper and book and lyrics by James Racheff. Racheff, librettist and co-lyricist for the Goodspeed's Houdini, also adapted the David Merrick-produced Broadway revival of Oh, Kay! a few years back.

According to a spokesperson at the Pete Sanders press office, Chemistry, formerly titled "After the Follicle," deals with issues of science vs. ethics, good vs. evil and hair vs. "big hair."

Sources say the comedy tells of a genetic therapy for male pattern baldness that ends up threatening all humankind. John Ruocco directs the piece, which starts previews Aug. 8 and opens Aug. 24.

-- By David Lefkowitz