Elder's widow, Judyann Elder, directs the Harlem-set drama that will run through Jan. 18 at the Skirball Cultural Center.

The cast features Rocky Carroll (The Piano Lesson), Emmy Award winner Glynn Turman ("The Wire"), John Cothran, Jr. ("Blake Snake Howl"), Brandon Dirden (First Breeze of Summer), Jason Dirden (First Breeze of Summer), Julia Pace Mitchell (Ohio State Murders), Charlie Robinson (Jesus Hopped the "A" Train) and Michole Briana White (Of Equal Measure).

"Ceremonies illuminated the dilemma of a black family living in Harlem at the dawn of the '60s," said director Judyann Elder in a statement. "In a place like Harlem, populated by marginalized people, it reflected the social, economic and political quagmire that institutionalized racism can spawn. Now, over 40 years since its conception, this American classic still resonates with clarion clarity. The United States has, with the election of Barack Obama as President, finally chosen content of character over color of skin. Nonetheless, the wretched vestiges of prejudice, impoverishment and self-victimization continue to cripple and corrupt inner-city communities all over America. And, indeed, the world."

(The production starts one day prior to the previously announced schedule in order to accommodate actor Glynn Turman, who was invited to attend the forthcoming presidential inauguration at the invitation of President-elect Barack Obama. The Jan. 17 performance has been canceled, and John Cothran, Jr. will go on for Turman in the role of Russell Parker for the Jan. 18 final performance.)

As with all L.A.T.W. productions, Ceremonies will be presented at the Skirball Cultural Center and will be recorded and subsequently broadcast on L.A.T.W.'s nationally syndicated radio theatre series "The Play's the Thing." For tickets, priced $20-$48, to any of "The Play's The Thing" productions at the Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Boulevard, call the L.A. Theatre Works box office at (310) 827-0889. For more information visit latw.org.