The MCC Theater premiere was originally scheduled to begin Nov. 3, but delayed the start of previews in order to allow for an additional day of technical rehearsals.

Trip Cullman (A Small Fire, Bachelorette) directs the production that centers on two teenage boys who are scouting for more than just badges. It will officially open Off-Broadway Nov. 20 for a run through Dec. 11.

A Tony winner for Next to Normal, Ripley co-stars opposite Breen (The Normal Heart, Next Fall) in a cast that also includes Gideon Glick (Spring Awakening, Spider-Man), Jay Armstrong Johnson (8, Hair), John Behlmann (The 39 Steps) and Daniel Stewart Sherman (A Streetcar Named Desire at Williamstown).

According to MCC, "Matthew (Johnson) and Jacob (Glick) are an unlikely pair of friends. Matthew is a soccer star, full of brio and teenage swagger. Jacob is, well, not. Beneath the surface, though, the two are locked in an innocently erotic game of cat and mouse. When Matthew's reluctant father, Walter, (Breen) is wrangled by his wife Marsha (Ripley) into chaperoning the boys' trip to a wilderness scout camp, he finds himself drawn into their adolescent game. But Matthew has secretly decided just how far he's willing to go for his final act of scouting and everyone might do well to heed the scouts' motto: Be Prepared."

The production has scenic design by Andromache Chalfant, costume design by Jenny Mannis, lighting design by David Weiner and sound design by Fitz Patton. Wild Animals You Should Know  was previously developed at the Ojai Playwrights Conference. Higgins' works also include This Modern House, The Elephant Party and The Home Maker.

Visit mcctheater.org. The Lucille Lortel Theatre is located at 121 Christopher Street.