Broadway buzzing about opening x 2

Another openin’, another show. And another show.

Two high-profile, upcoming Broadway productions -- the musical “Urban Cowboy” and Yasmina Reza’s play “Life x 3” -- are scheduled to premiere March 27, and both say they won’t change their plans.

It is unusual for two Broadway shows to open on the same day, thus going head to head for newspaper space, television coverage and opening-night party publicity.

“It’s sad that one has to compete in this manner with a fellow Broadway show in a community that has always prided itself on its support and family,” Pete Sanders, a spokesman for “Urban Cowboy,” said in a statement.

Opening dates are registered with the League of American Theatres and Producers to prevent such conflicts. “Life x 3” booked the date first, late last year, according to Susanne Tighe, a spokeswoman for the production, although the show did not announce a theater. And “Urban Cowboy” did -- the Broadhurst.

“It was the first show to announce and secure a theater, which is the League’s rule,” Sanders said of the musical.

Meanwhile, Tighe said “Life x 3” was not informed by the League that another production was challenging its date of Thursday, March 27. She said her play had not announced its theater, Circle in the Square, since “Metamorphoses” was still playing there.

The League would not comment on the scheduling problem when contacted by Associated Press.

Thursday is the day of choice for Broadway opening nights, primarily because it guarantees a review in the widely read Friday Weekend section of The New York Times.

“Urban Cowboy,” based on the 1980 film that starred John Travolta and Debra Winger, begins preview performances Feb. 27. It features newcomers Matt Cavenaugh and Jenn Colella in a Texas tale of romance set, for the most part, in Gilley’s, the famous Houston watering hole.

“Life x 3,” which stars John Turturro and Helen Hunt and is directed by Matthew Warchus, starts previews March 11. The comedy by the author of the Tony-winning play “Art” concerns a couple whose guests arrive a day early for a dinner party.

Tighe said “Life x 3” has a very specific timeframe because of the limited availability of its stars and director. The production is schedule to run only through June 29.

The dueling openings won’t be a strain on reviewers, however, because critics rarely attend opening nights. Instead, they usually are invited to one of the last e previews before the opening and reviews do not appear until opening night.