O'Connell appeared in earlier readings of Linklater's dark comedy that will run Jan. 18-Feb. 17, 2013. Hunter ("The Piano," "Broadcast News") has withdrawn from the production due to scheduling conflicts, according to representatives. Jim Simpson directs the production that will officially open Jan. 31, 2013.

The cast also features Tony Award nominee Zach Grenier and Noah Robbins. The Vandal, which is billed as a "new play about death and vandalism in Kingston, NY," received a reading at Barnard College in October 2011 in a partnership between New York Stage and Film and Barnard College.

Grenier received a Tony Award nomination for 33 Variations. His stage appearances include Man and Boy, A Man for All Seasons, Voices in the Dark and Mastergate. Robbins appeared on Broadway in Arcadia and Brighton Beach Memoirs.

The design team includes David Marber (set designer), Brian Aldous (lighting designer), Claudia Brown (costume designer) and Brandon Wolcott (sound designer).

Here's how the play is characterized: "Set in Kingston, New York, The Vandal is a startling, funny and dark new play about a woman and a boy who meet at a bus stop on a cold night and the stories they tell to keep each other warm." For tickets visit theflea.org. The Flea is located at 41 White Street in Tribeca.