Calista Flockhart, a ubiquitous stage actress for much of this decade -- before television shepherded her away to stardom in "Ally McBeal" -- will go back to her roots this summer. Not only will she appear as a presenter at this year's Tony Awards, but, as long rumored, she'll do an Off-Broadway show.

As reported by the New York Times and confirmed by a general manager at producer Eric Krebs' office, Flockhart will appear in two of three one acts by Neil LaBute at the Douglas Fairbanks Theatre, beginning June 14, opening June 24 and running to July 25.

Originally titled A Gaggle of Saints (the name of one of the three plays), the evening is now renamed "Bash." It concerns LaBute's usual themes which, he told the Times, "is basically beautiful people doing awful things."

Flockhart's stage credits include the Roundabout's Three Sisters and The Glass Menagerie, as well as Mad Forest Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway's Bovver Boys.

Joe Mantello (Love! Valour! Compassion!, The Mineola Twins) will direct the pieces. Casting is not yet completed, with the producers still deciding whether to hire one or two actors for the other roles. Krebs is co-producing Bash with former literary agent Steven Pevner. Flockhart will do the full run of the show, though there will be one week of only four performances, due to the actress' film commitments.

-- By David Lefkowitz