The York Theatre Company's production of After the Fair will close a week early, on Aug. 8. The decision to cut the run short was made after stars Michelle Pawk (Cabaret) and David Staller informed producers they would leave the show mid-run. Rather than recast poth parts for the musical's final week, the York opted to move up After the Fair's closing date.

After the Fair is by Stephen Cole (book and lyrics) and Matthew Ward (music), and began performances June 30 for a July 14 opening. The musical is based on the Thomas Hardy short story, "On the Western Circuit," and tells the tale of Edith Harnham (Pawk), a married woman who agrees to write letters to a young London barrister on behalf of Anna, her illiterate maid. The situation complicates when Anna becomes pregnant. Edith begins to wonder whom she loves, and her husband Arthur (Staller) starts to realize something is wrong with their marriage. The score, which Cole describes as "very lush, very romantic," features songs including "The World at My Window," "Beloved," "Between the Lines" and "Your Words Were Music."

Fair made its debut in 1996 at Dallas' Lyric Stage, where the musical garnered five Dallas Theatre League Awards, including Best New Musical. Subsequent productions followed at Chicago's Apple Tree Theatre and Seattle's Village Theatre.

Travis L. Stockley, who directed both the Chicago and Seattle incarnations, directs the York production. Designing Fair are James Morgan (sets), Michael Bottari and Ronald Case (costumes) and Michael Lincoln (lighting).

Tickets are $45-$40 and are available by calling (212) 239-6200. The Theatre at Saint Peter's is located in the Citicorp Center at 619 Lexington Ave at 54th Street. -- By Christine Ehren and Robert Simonson