The staging, directed by Joe Calarco, plays March 14-April 13, with musical direction by Ron Melrose. Brown, the composer-lyricist-librettist who created the two-actor show, was announced to be musical director in Philly, but he has since become musical director, arranger, orchestrator and songwriter-contributor to Broadway's Urban Cowboy musical.

"Although Jason is indeed involved in Urban Cowboy, he has been extremely involved in our production, attending all auditions and [has been] part of the team making all decisions," a PTC spokesperson told Playbill On-Line.

Brown won the Tony Award for Best Score for Parade and penned Songs for a New World.

Designers are Michael Fagin (set), Chris Lee (lighting), Anne Kennedy (costumes), Nick Kourtides (sound).

The not-for-profit's current staging in August Wilson's King Hedley II. The Last Five Years had its world premiere at Northlight Theatre in 2001 in Skokie, IL, and then an Off Broadway run in early 2002. A cast album preserves the work of Brown and actors Norbert Leo Butz and Sherie Rene Scott, who originated the roles of Jamie (a novelist on the rise) and Cathy (an actress stuck in the mud) at the Minetta Lane Theatre in New York. Lauren Kennedy played Cathy in Skokie.

PTC performs at 1714 Delancey St. For ticket information, call (215) 569-9700 or visit www.phillytheatreco.com.