Brian d'Arcy James won an Obie Award May 21 for his work on Conor McPherson's The Good Thief, which ends its second Off-Broadway run May 26. The one-man play directed by Carl Forsman reopened April 4 at 45 Bleecker Street. The drama closed its first engagement at the Jose Quintero March 25.

The Good Thief and star James received a rave review from the New York Times' Ben Brantley, as well as his Obie. The criminal at the center of the play is on the run with the wife and child of one of his murder victims, hiding out from the boss he betrayed in the quiet Irish countryside. The relaxation doesn't last long, however, before his criminal past brutally catches up with them.

McPherson won an Olivier Award for The Weir. His other works are This Lime Tree Bower, Dublin Carol and the screenplays, "I Went Down" and "Salt Water," based on This Lime Tree Bower.

d'Arcy James is more known for his musical pipes than his acting ones - he's created roles in the Broadway musical Titanic (Drama League and FANY winner for playing stoker Frederick Barrett), as well as The Wild Party (Drama Desk nomination as Burrs) and Floyd Collins. His play work has included Kenneth Branagh's Public Enemy, Velvet Visc with Janeane Garofalo and Ancestral Voices.

The simple staging features lighting design by Josh Bradford and costume design by Theresa Squire. Tickets are $35-$25. 45 Bleecker is located at 45 Bleecker, east of Lafayette. For reservations, call (212) 529-4530.

The Good Thief is the first effort of the newly formed Keen Company. The Keen Company is headed by Forsman, former artistic associate with the Blue Light Theater Company. The newcomers kicked off their New York debut with a Jan. 29 benefit featuring short works from hot playwright David Auburn (Proof).