Frozen, which had its New York premiere at MCC Theatre and later transferred to Broadway, where it was nominated for several Tony Awards, is about a serial killer and the effect his actions have on both a victim's mother and a psychiatrist whose specialization is the study of serial murderers.

According to the Times, Lewis and Gladwell said that they have found at least "a dozen instances of word-for-word plagiarism in the play, as well as thematic and biographical similarities to a 1997 New Yorker profile of Dr. Lewis by Mr. Gladwell and a 1998 book by Dr. Lewis."

Dr. Lewis was invited two months ago to participate in a discussion with Frozen audience members at a performance of the play. It was then that she became aware of the play and recognized what seemed to her to be her words.

Lavery did not comment for the Times article, but a spokesman for the MCC Theater said in a statement that "attorneys have been engaged, the discussions are amicable, and we expect a resolution."

Frozen shifted Lavery's career into high gear when it premiered in London. Her latest play Last Easter, is being produced by MCC and is in previews at the Lucille Lortel Theater in Greenwich Village. The New York Times recently ran a large feature about Lavery as part of its fall preview issue.