Katie Holmes turns page on divorce and heads to Broadway

What move befits an actress looking to make a fresh start after a high-profile divorce? If you’re Katie Holmes, you turn to the comforting, high-wattage embrace of Broadway.

After a month that found Holmes joining Mimi Rogers and Nicole Kidman among the ranks of ex-wives to movie star Tom Cruise, the actress has signed on to star in Theresa Rebeck’s new comedy, “Dead Accounts,” which will premiere at Broadway’s Music Box Theatre this fall.

Holmes made her Broadway debut in 2008 in a production of Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons,” which resulted in mixed reviews including Ben Brantley in the New York Times, who wasn’t exceptionally complimentary of the actress’ peformance but seemed most disappointed in the play’s director.

The shift to Broadway dovetails nicely with the news that Holmes has relocated to New York since the divorce and has enrolled daughter Suri into Manhattan’s Convent of the Sacred Heart.

Taking on comedy might seem a surprising choice for Holmes, but the actress has proven reasonably adept with lighter fare beginning with Doug Liman’s “Go” in 1999, “Thank You for Smoking” in 2005 and, somewhat less fortunately, Adam Sandler’s”Jack and Jill” last year. Holmes also hosted an episode of”Saturday Night Live” in 2001.

Holmes hasn’t turned her back on her film career. The Internet Movie Database lists announced roles in a romantic comedy, “Responsible Adults,” with Chace Crawford of “Gossip Girl,” as well as in the directoral debut of “Twilight” actor Christian Camargo, which is as yet untitled.

Rebeck is a prolific playwright and is the creator of the NBC musical drama, “Smash.”

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