Nelson's world-premiere drama, which chronicles those entangled in Julius Caesar's world of manipulation and power, has been extended through March 30. Performances began Feb. 19.

Dennehy (Cicero) and Quinn (Brutus) are joined onstage by David Strathairn (Cassius), Maria Tucci (Servilia), Joe Grifasi (Syrus) and Gloria Reuben (Porcia). Playwright Richard Nelson directs.

Conversations in Tusculum, according to press notes, is described in this manner: "The country you love and the values it represents are being destroyed by a misguided leader. You can continue to live in relative comfort by not involving yourself, or you can take action to save the democracy you love."

Playwright Richard Nelson earned the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for James Joyce's The Dead, a production he also directed. His other works for Broadway include Two Shakespearean Actors, Some Americans Abroad, the book for the musical Chess, as well as adaptations of The Father, Accidental Death of an Anarchist and The Marriage of Figaro.

For tickets to Conversations in Tusculum call (212) 539-8750 or visit www.publictheater.org. The Public Theater is located at 425 Lafayette Street in Manhattan.