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The producers of an Off-Broadway production of Dracula fired their star actress Thora Birch just four days before opening night, according to The New York Times.

Birch's dismissal from her New York stage debut seems to stem from problems over a back rub given to her by an unnamed actor in the production -- a rub which the actor claimed was part of the stage direction.

According to the play's director, Paul Alexander, this back rubbing caused Jack Birch, Thora's father who was on hand for the rehearsal, to react with perceived menace towards the actor.

“I can’t have one of my actors in a situation where he is physically threatened by the father of anyone," Alexander told the Times. He was told of the incident afterwards by the actor in question.

Jack Birch denied making any threat, though he said that his daughter had been “a little...

Thora Birch has signed with ICM for representation in all areas. At the agency, she will be repped by Ed Limato along with Joe Funicello. Birch is best known for her performances in "Ghost World", which garnered her a Golden Globe nomination, and "American Beauty", which earned her a SAG Award for best ensemble. The actress, who most recently starred in Lifetime Television's "Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story," is gearing up to start production on the U.K. feature "Silence Becomes You" opposite Toby Stephens. Her credits include such films as "Paradise", "Now and Then" and "Patriot Games". She continues to be managed by Jack Birch of Keep the Peace Management and her attorney Brad Small of Mannatt, Phelps and Phillips.

Thora Birch and Juliette Lewis have teamed up to star as sisters in the indie thriller Silence Becomes You for writer-director Stephanie Sinclaire. Toby Stephens, who starred as the villain Gustav Graves in MGM's Die Another Day, has been cast as the man who comes between them. Shooting on the project is under way in Ireland. It follows the story of two sisters -- bound together by more than blood -- who bring home a man on a dare only to see the situation spiral out of control. Sinclaire is also producing alongside Dragonfly Films' Karl Richards and Brian Freeston along with Sun Gateway Entertainment. Jack Cardiff, a veteran British cinematographer, will serve as a consultant on the film. Birch is repped by manager Jack Birch of Keep the Peace Prods. and attorney Brad Small of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips. She next stars in the true-life tale Homeless to Harvard, set to air April 7 on Lifetime Television. Lewis, represented by WMA, is onscreen in DreamWorks Pictures' Old School opposite Luke Wilson. Stephens is repped by WMA. His credits include Possession and The Great Gatsby.

NEW YORK -- Lifetime has signed Thora Birch to star in a film based on a true story about a homeless teenager who turns her life around and ends up at Harvard University. Scheduled to go into production early next year, Homeless to Harvard (working title) is expected to air on Lifetime in the second quarter of 2003. Birch (American Beauty, Ghost World) will play Liz Murray, who was raised by poor, drug-addicted parents yet managed to win a New York Times scholarship that landed her in the Ivy League. Harvard is produced by Patriach Pictures in association with Barnet Bain Productions. Birch is repped by manager Jack Birch and attorney Brad Small.