Tina Landau stages the work to begin Feb. 1, 2007, and open Feb. 20 at the downtown Manhattan venue.

From the author of Peter Pan comes the story of "a young woman's disappearance and her mysterious return to her family twenty days later with no memory of time passed." The work, first performed in 1920, returns to the New York stage for the first time in more than 50 years.

Howard, a 21-year-old New York University theatre student, makes her professional debut in the lead role — following in her family's footsteps. Father Ron Howard is well-known for his acting roles on "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Happy Days" before turning his focus to work behind the camera. Her older sister Bryce Dallas Howard — seen on stage in As You Like — appeared in the films "Lady in the Water" and "The Village" and will be seen in the upcoming "Spider-Man 3."

Director Landau last teamed with the Vineyard on the world premiere of Kirsten Childs' musical Miracle Brothers. She staged the 2001 Broadway revival of Bells Are Ringing and also directed Floyd Collins, Dream True, Theatrical Essays, Beauty and Space.

Tony Award winner Victoria Clark and All Shook Up's Cheyenne Jackson star in the current developmental run of Nicky Silver's The Agony and the Agony at the Vineyard (through Dec. 22). The company's 25th season opened with the production of Anne Washburn's The Internationalist starring "Law & Order" actress Annie Parisse and will continue with a fourth production (to play in the spring of 2007) that is yet to be announced. Tickets for shows at the Vineyard Theatre, 108 East 15 St. can be reserved by calling (212) 353-0303 or online at www.vineyardtheatre.org.