Randall Arney, the Geffen Playhouse's recently- appointed artistic director, has announced the cast for Colin McPherson's The Weir, which runs Feb. 7-March 11. Arney, who will make his Geffen directorial debut with the play, has selected Ian Barford, Lindsay Crouse, Francis Guinan, John Mahoney and Paul Vincent O'Connor as his actors.

Mahoney and Guinan are both members, along with Arney, of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company of Chicago. Arney was for many years Steppenwolf's artistic director. Mahoney is, or course, widely known for his role as Kelsey Grammer's father on the sitcom, "Frasier." His many film roles include "Say Anything" and "Moonstruck." He won a Tony Award for his performance in The House of Blue Leaves.

The Weir, which is the third production of the Geffen's 2000-2001 season, is set in a rural Irish pub on a rainy and wind-swept Gaelic night. Four men swap ghostly tales, trying to impress an attractive and mysterious woman from Dublin, but it is her own haunting story that moves and captivates her male audience.

McPherson's latest play, Dublin Carol, was seen at the Royal Court Theatre this past spring, starring Brian Cox. He recently screened his feature film directing debut "Salt Water," an adaptation of his play The Lime Tree Bower.

Geffen Playhouse is located at 10886 Le Conte Ave. in Westwood. For tickets and information call (310) 208- 5454. — By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent