'Booted' to shoot

here next month

Alan Ruck, who was Cameron in "Ferris Beuller's Day Off," and also appeared on "Spin City"; Colin Quinn, formerly of "SNL"; Marc Summers, of "Double Dare" and Food Network fame; comedian Rev. Bob Levy, and wrestlers Jim "the Anvil" Neidhart and the Blue Meanie will be in town next month to shoot "Booted," a comedy about a guy whose car is booted and who struggles to get home before his girlfriend leaves him. The scheduled shooting dates are Oct. 12-30.

Directing is Shaun Paul Costello, who, along with fellow Temple film grad Joe Gariffo, just finished a film called "Swooped."

Gariffo also is producing, as are Tommy Avallone, who is digital coordinator at 94 WYSP and who directed "Community College"; "Booted" writer Derek Lindeman; John Guarnere, and Frank Vain.

Dinklage here with director wife

We found out why Peter Dinklage is in town. The "Station Agent" star, who's also known from "30 Rock," "Nip/Tuck" and the excellent "Living in Oblivion," is married to Erica Schmidt, who's directing "Humor Abuse."

The play, a one-man show starring Lorenzo Pisoni, runs Sept. 25 to Oct. 25 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre. For info, philadelphiatheatrecompany.org.

Out and about

Paul Rudd and Reese Witherspoon

returned to Morimoto (723 Chestnut) Tuesday. The pair, who sure have been spending a lot of time dining and drinking together, sneaked in the back door, and ate at the sushi bar at the rear of the restaurant. They were shooting nearby at Union Trust (717 Chestnut) and arrived for dinner at 8:45, leaving around 11.

* Phillies ace Cliff Lee and wife Kristen

dined at Rouge (205 S. 18th) after he shut out the Nationals Tuesday. Earlier old/new Eagles QB Jeff Garcia was at Rouge for a NY strip steak.

* Just across Rittenhouse Square were

Dr. Phil McGraw and wife Robin having dinner at Smith & Wollensky, where Phil went for a Caesar salad and grilled shrimp dish.

* Sixers Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus

Young should be on tomorrow's "Dr. Phil" (5 p.m., CBS 3). The guys taped for the show yesterday at Independence National Historical Park where they shot hoops and talked about life in the NBA.

Iguodala also gave Dr. Phil a dance lesson.

People Paper people

Sunday is the fifth annual Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's Ride for Kids. The motorcycle trip goes from King of Prussia through Chester County and ends at Longwood Gardens. Daily News photographer Steven M. Falk and wife Deneen are riding again, and seeking sponsors. Support them at: firstgiving.com/2009ride or send a check to: "Ride for Kids" Box 88 Phoenixville, PA 19460.

* Avril (134 Bala), the new northern

Italian and southern French spot in Bala Cynwyd, is now open for Sunday brunch from 10 to 2, and lunch Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 to 2. The restaurant is owned by chef Christian Gatti and wife April Lisante, former Daily News food editor and longtime reporter.

It's casino night for Alex's

NBC 10's Lori Wilson, Fox 29's Sue

Serio, CBS 3's Doug Kammerer, 6ABC's Jamie Apody and Erica Grow, TV veteran Janet Zappala, jeweler Steven Lagos, BorgataTV.com host Erin Elmore, and 76ers forward Jason Smith are expected tonight at the Jason Matthew Salon (1426 Walnut) for a celebrity casino night to benefit Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. Tickets are $40 at the door, which includes $20 in chips, which can be bet for prizes.

Lynn Doyle wins award

Newsman Dan Rather and the Comcast Network's Lynn Doyle each won awards yesterday at the CableFAX Program Awards gala at New York's Grand Hyatt. Doyle's, her second in two years, was for best show/series in public affairs, honoring her "It's Your Call" focus on voluntary breast removal.

Visit PhillyGossip.com for Dan's latest updates or follow PhillyGossip on Twitter. Have a tip? Call 215-854-5963, or e-mail grossd@phillynews.com. For recent columns, visit go.philly.com/dangross.