Jon Marans' Old Wicked Songs, about an elderly Austrian professor who reinivigorates the blocked career of a young American pianist -- and in the process reveals some stunning secrets about himself -- is being presented by the Jewish Theatre of New England in Newton, MA, through Mar. 22.

The play, which weaves the lush songs of Romantic composer Robert Schumann into the action, originated at Philadelphia's Walnut Street Theatre and then came to New York -- where it was so successful that it moved from the small Playhouse 91 to Off-Broadway's Promenade. A subsequent London production starred Bob Hoskins as the professor.

This production stars Mitchell Greenberg (who was a standby for Hal Robinson's professor in the Off-Broadway production) and Barry Abramovitz.

Performances are Thu. at 2 and 8 PM, Sat. at 8 PM and Sun. at 2 and 7 PM at the Leventhal-Sidman Center, 333 Nahanton St. For tickets, $20-$22, call (617) 965-5226.

-- By Rebecca Paller