Roundabout commissions Karam

Looks like playwright-of-the-moment Stephen Karam's next play will show up at the Roundabout Theater Company, too: The Gotham nonprofit has given a second commission to the scribe for a new play. Move is spurred in part by the success of the org's current production of Karam's "Sons of the Prophet," which opened recently to notable critical raves. Roundabout helped launch the writer's career with its 2007 production of "Speech and Debate," the comedy that subsequently was much-produced around the country. "Prophet" was a Roundabout commission that had an initial run at Boston's Huntington Theater Company earlier this year prior to its Gotham stint. Spurred by the strong notices, "Prophet" has been extended about a week to Jan. 1. Latest commission is part of Roundabout's ongoing New Play Initiative, which has so far commissioned new works from some 15 writers. Karam said he may use the opportunity to pen one of what might become a trio of plays involving the Douaihys, the family around which "Prophet" revolves. Another show by Karam, new opera "Dark Sisters" with music by Nico Muhly, is set to have a world preem Nov. 9-19 at John Jay College's Gerald W. Lynch Theater in Gotham. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com