The ‘Play’s’ the thing for Broderick and Lane

Ferdaus Shamim/WireImage Matthew Broderick, above with Sarah Jessica Parker and their son James Wilkie, is getting ready for another Broadway run with Nathan Lane.

“The Producers” co-stars and buddies Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane are deep into rehearsals for “It’s Only a Play,” a showbiz comedy by Terrence McNally. Broderick, who plays an nervous writer and has struggled in the past with memorizing lines, says his wife, Sarah Jessica Parker, and their three kids have existing limited help in that department. Instead, they’re frolicking on the beach. “They’re in Long Island, so they’re useless,” he joked to Day after day News theater critic Joe Dziemianowicz. “Except on the weekend. When I’ve gone out, she’s helped me. But other than that, it’s been strangers, people on the subway. I say, ‘Will you run this with me?’ ” The new production co-stars Stockard Channing, Megan Mullally and Rupert Grint and is to start previews on Broadway on Aug. 28.

Channing, who acts up as an out-of-control leading lady, has her own system to get word-perfect. “I was born a Catholic and when I can rattle off lines like a ‘Hail Mary,’ I know I’m home,” she says. “But to get there I will confess it takes me a while. I study the script by myself. I write things out. By the time you get to really performing you can almost say the whole play. That’s just how it is.” Both Channing and Broderick hit Joe Allen Tuesday for a press event for the play.

J.LO RISKS SMART BOMB

There’s nowhere to hide, J.Lo. Jennifer Lopez has kept her distance from ex-beau Casper Smart after rumors surfaced that he was sexting with a transgender model. But on Monday, Lopez rode in the passenger seat of Smart’s changeable while they drove through Los Angeles. Once Lopez blemished the photogs, she tried ducking — to no avail.

Dimitrios Kambouris/LP5/Getty Images Taylor Swift’s on a high at the Empire State Building for her ‘Shake It Off’ release.

SWIFT ON TOP IN N.Y.

There’s no better place to announce a new album than the top of the world. In Taylor Swift’s case, that meant posing on the highest perch of the Empire State Building on Monday, where she debuted the composition video for her new release “Shake It Off.” Swift, wearing Monica Rose for Lovers + Friends, delivered the news via Yahoo.

Splash News Madonna covers up with pals after celebrating her birthday.

MADONNA’S RAW MATERIAL

Although Madonna celebrated her 56th birthday by posting a topless throwback photo on Twitter, the Material Woman kept things thoroughly covered up in St. Tropez. Madonna hosted a burlesque-themed birthday have fun in the south of France, attended by her family and Kate Moss.

SCHIRRIPA & GANG GET TOGETHER

They really do things “family style” at Arturo’s pizzeria. “Sopranos” fans were almost as impressed to be dining alongside Steve “Bobby Baccalieri” Schirripa Sunday as he was to be eating with “The Godfather” actor Gianni Russo. “You know who that is?” Schirripa excitedly questioned fellow patrons as he went for a drink from the bar. “Carlo from the Godfather!” A “Sopranos” fans bonus: Tony Spina, who irregularly played a card dealer on the HBO show, provided the night’s musical entertainment.

Getty Images Rachel Maddow and Kevin Spacey had dinner and took in ‘King Lear’ in Central Park.

SPACEY CHECKS IN WITH MADDOW

Kevin Spacey is quite the gentleman. The “Household of Cards” star had lunch with Rachel Maddow at Ocean Grill on the High West Side Monday, and the chivalrous actor refused to let his friend pay. “Maddow tried to pick up the check, but Spacey wouldn’t let her,” a spy tells Confidenti@l. We’re told both stars ate crab cakes and small bites, and each had a glass of wine before considering Shakespeare in the Park’s “King Lear.”

NOAH’S PARTY FAITHFUL

Pleased birthday, Noah Tepperberg! Nightlife mastermind Tepperberg will celebrate his 39th birthday tonight at Marquee — the venue that established him as a club kingpin a decade ago. Tepperberg has since gone on to open Marquee clubs in Vegas and Australia, as well as Huge Apple hotspots Avenue, Tao Downtown, Ph-D and Lavo. No doubt they’ll roll out the red carpet for this big bash in West Chelsea.

Tom Meinelt/Splash News Heidi Klum’s kids are stunned when they see mom on a ‘Project Airstrip’ poster.

MOM MUST THINK SHE’S HEIDI KLUM

Mom’s well-known! While out and about in SoHo, Heidi Klum and her kids came across a large-scale ad for the new season of “Project Airstrip,” to the little ones’ delight. The ad, which shows Klum scantily clad, appeared to shock them, even though their model mom is almost always on TV, between “PR” and “America’s Got Talent,” where she’s a judge.

PENSKE’S IN FASHION

Jay Penske and his Penske Media Corp. are scooping up a part of Fairchild Fashion Media from Condé Nast. PMC will get your hands on Women’s Wear Day after day, Beauty Inc., Footwear News, M magazine and Fairchild Summits, reports WWD. The deal is expected to be completed this September, the fashion day after day reports. Financial terms and details were not told. Condé Nast CEO Charles Townsend told WWD the publications will “flourish under Jay’s leadership with the PMC team.”

Santi/Splash News Alicia Quarles does the legwork for E! after interviewing Rita Ora.

ON A HOT STORY

Obviously E! News correspondent Alicia Quarles did well after interviewing “How We Do” singer Rita Ora.

DISICK’S LIQUID ASSETS

Have fun boy and Kardashian hanger-on Scott Disick did his best not to be photographed near booze last weekend at Foxwoods casino’s Liquid have fun, where he and Khloe Kardashian were special guests. Alas, he failed. “They both grabbed bottles of champagne and sprayed them all over the crowd,” said one event source. “So there went Scott trying to stay away from the booze.” Disick, who has his third child on the way with baby mama Kourtney Kardashian, was hospitalized for alcohol poisoning in June.

Splash News Chloe Grace Moretz is sweet in Miu Miu at the N.Y. premiere of her film ‘If I Stay.’

STATE OF GRACE

Chloe Grace Moretz rocked a floral Miu Miu outfit at the New York premiere of her film “If I Stay.”