While Michael ("Commish") Chiklis continues to defend the Caveman on Broadway, the show's creator, Rob Becker continues his U.S. tour with the show, expected to stretch well into 1998 and possibly beyond.

March 26 will mark Defending The Caveman's second anniversary on Broadway. April 2, the show presented its 600th performance. (Though the show stopped playing at the Helen Hayes Theatre, Jan. 4, 1997, to switch its venue (to the Booth) and star (to Chiklis), it never officially closed.) Sometime during early summer, Chiklis' other commitments will likely make him leave the show at the end of his contract, but no word has come as to who would replace him if he does.

Becker's ruminations about the differences between men (hunters) and women (gatherers), have drawn a strong word-of-mouth audience, making it the longest-running non-musical comedy currently on Broadway.

Here are the upcoming tour dates:

* Chicago, IL: Shubert, May 20-June 8
* Dallas, TX: Majestic Theatre, June 10-22
* Cleveland, OH: Ohio Theatre, June 24-29
Vacation
* Salt Lake City, UT: Capitol Theatre, Sept. 9-14
* Minneapolis, MN: State Theatre, Sept. 16-28
* Boston, MA: Wilbur, Oct. 7-Nov. 2
* Philadelphia, PA: Merriam Theatre, Nov. 11-23
* Indianapolis, IN: Clowes Memorial Hall, Jan. 27-Feb. 1, 1998
* Seattle, WA: Paramount, Feb. 13-15, 1998
* Washington DC: Warner, Feb. 17-March 15, 1998
* Houston, TX: Brown Theatre, March 24-29, 1998
* Charlotte, NC: Belk Theatre at Blumenthal PAC, June 16-21, 1998
Other cities expected include Detroit, MI; Fort Lauderdale, FL; Atlanta, GA; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; Denver, CO and Portland, OR. -- By Robert Viagas and Andrew Ku and David Lefkowitz