Coordinating schedules the creatives involved led to the change. Roy Gabay and Robyn Goodman will produce. The producing partners are also mounting a spring 2005 Broadway revival of Steel Magnolias, so the Barefoot change isn't so surprising — both plays are high profile enough that come Tony Award time there's a chance they might've competed in the Best Revival category.

Casting has not been announced for Barefoot in the Park, the early comedy by Simon about two newlyweds adjusting to life in a tiny apartment in Manhattan.

The New York Times previously reported that Goodman obtained the Broadway rights to Barefoot in the Park from Paramount Pictures. The movie studio bought the rights from Simon in 1965 for $150,000. Simon told the Times earlier this year, "My business manager told me that I should take the money because I may never write another play again."

The original production of Barefoot in the Park began previews at the Biltmore Theatre on Oct. 21, 1963. The comedy officially opened Oct. 23 and ran through June 25, 1967, playing a total of 1,530 performances. Mike Nichols directed the play with a cast led by Elizabeth Ashley, Kurt Kasznar, Mildred Natwick, Robert Redford, Herbert Edelman and Joseph Keating.

The film version starred Jane Fonda and Robert Redford.