The Off-Broadway hit The Mystery of Irma Vep is finding itself way Off-Broadway -- as in Phoenix, Arizona. And it's doing pretty well in the sagebrush, too.

The Arizona Theater Company's mounting of Charles Ludlam's comedy, which began previews Dec. 30 and officially opened Jan. 2, has extended its run. The show will now close Jan. 23 instead of Jan. 16. ATC artistic director David Ira Goldstein directs.

Irma Vep concerns the unknown fate of the title character, once mistress of the Manor House but since the victim of an untimely and mysterious death. A cast of several odd personages from the creepy Lord and new Lady of the Manor to the strange servants are played by two actors. Ludlam, who died in 1987, starred in and directed the original production.

Bob Sorenson and R. Hamilton, recently appearing together in ATC's Scapin, will take Irma Vep's roles. Sorenson appeared in last season's How I Learned To Drive. Wright, an "X-Files" vet who played Agent Scully's oncologist, performed in two Steven Dietz' world premieres at ATC, Private Eyes and Dreams From a Summer House.

Designing the show are Drew Boughton (sets), David Kay Mickelsen (costumes), Michael Gilliam (lighting) and Brian Jerome Peterson (sound). Roberta Carlson will compose the original score. Tickets are $36-$26 and available by calling the box office at (602) 256 6995. The Herberger Theater is located at 222 E. Monroe Street.

-- By Christine Ehren