While one industry trade has reported that Ben Gazzara is being considered to star along with Eileen Atkins in Yasmina Reza's The Unexpected Man, production sources insist that nothing is definite and no schedules have been set. The play is due February 1999 at Roundabout's Gramercy Theatre in NYC.

While Ms. Atkins has long been associated with the upcoming project, confirmation of new developments seems unlikely until producer Elizabeth McCann is back in New York. McCann's office said the producer is still in London working on A Saint She Ain't which opens at the Apollo Sept. 22 after moving from the King's Head Theatre.

At the Roundabout, which is busy pushing through new construction at the old Selwyn Theatre, there was no word on The Unexpected Man. Given the fact the season is underway at Roundabout and construction is taking up time and resources, the prospect of a February opening also seems unlikely. For the short term, "things are really up in the air," according to one source and no one knows exactly what to expect.

Previously, Nick Nolte had been connected to the Reza project. Michael Gambon created the role in London.

-- By Murdoch McBride