Joining Aunjanue Ellis, Anthony Mackie and Alfre Woodard in the African-American take on Chekhov's The Seagull is Peter Francis James, who replaces the announced Joe Morton, who is committed to a conflicting film project.

The 13-member cast also features Stephanie Berry (Paula Andrea Bow), Paul Butler (Peter Nicholas), Stephen McKinley Henderson (Sammy Bow), Ebony Jo-Ann (Jackie), Peter Macon (Yak), Curtis McClarin (Simon), Roger Robinson (Eugene Dawn), Tracie Thoms (Mary Bow) and Baron Vaughn (Okra).

Previews under the direction of Marion McClinton begin at the Biltmore Theatre Jan. 29, 2004, toward an opening of Feb. 19.

"Drowning Crow takes place on the Gullah Islands off the coast of modern-day South Carolina, as a family of African-American artists comes together for a momentous few days," according to MTC. "Alfre Woodard plays family matriarch, classical actress Josephine Nicholas Ark Trip.  Anthony Mackie is her son, performance artist Constantine Trip, aka C-Trip.  Aunjanue Ellis plays aspiring actress Hannah Jordan, and Peter Francis James plays TV writer Robert Alexander Trigor."

Sets are by David Gallo, costumes by Paul Tazewell, lighting by Ken Billington, sound by Dan Moses Schreier, and projections by Wendall K. Harrington. Original music is composed by Daryl Waters and choreography is by Ken Roberson. Tickets ($81-$26) are available at www.telecharge.com. Visit www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com.

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Drowning Crow, by the actress-playwright who penned Oo-Bla-Dee and Crowns, had a previous premiere production at The Goodman Theatre in Chicago.