Brian Mertes (David Greenspan's The Myopia) directs the Rattlestick production of Rivera's play. The piece has been reconceived since its 2007 world premiere. The Rattlestick bills it as a new, world-premiere production of the dark play.

The cast includes Jolly Abraham, Brendan Averett, Dana Eskelson, Jojo Gonzalez, William Jackson Harper, Adrian Martinez, Sona Tatoyan and Anatol Yusef.

Performances will continue through May 12.

According to the Rattlestick, "In a small New Hampshire town, seven friends conspire to murder their mysterious neighbor Joe. On the night of the killing, as they confront the many meanings of their crime and finally relax and laugh and love again…there's a knock on their door."

The design team for Massacre includes Andromache Chalfant (scenic design), Cait O'Connor (costume design), Austin Smith (lighting design), Daniel Baker (sound design) and Andrew Diaz (properties).

Rivera earned an Oscar nomination for "Motorcycle Diaries." His plays also include Boleros for the Disenchanted, Marisol, Cloud Tectonics, References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot and a new adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman.

Visit rattlestick.org. The Rattlestick Theater is located at 224 Waverly Place.