Kate Whoriskey (Fabulation) directs the new play that began previews Oct. 30 and opened Nov. 18 for a run originally slated through Dec. 9. "On the strength of reviews that praise the play and Ms. Franz's remarkable performance," according to an announcement, the production has added two weeks of shows. From the playwright of BFE and Durango comes this new work centering around Mrs. K (Franz), "a retired piano teacher who seeks out her former students, curious why they suddenly stopped taking lessons years before," according to a release.

Carmen Herlihy (columbinus, The Thugs) and John Boyd (Romania, Kiss Me!) are featured in the cast as former students. (Herlihy replaced the previously announced Bethany Butler.)

Franz was recently seen in Off-Broadway's Howard Katz and at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in The Autumn Garden. The actress won a Tony Award for her performance as the matriarch in the 1999 Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman. She has also appeared in Mornings at Seven, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Broadway Bound as well as Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All.

The design team for The Piano Teacher includes Derek McLane (set), Ilona Somogyi (costume), David Weiner (lighting) and Obadiah Eaves (sound and original music).

The Vineyard season will continue with the new musical The Slug Bearers of Kayroll Island (or the Friends of Dr. Rushower) by Ben Katchor and Mark Mulcahy as well as Jenny Schwartz's God's Ear. Other projects in the works — workshops or readings — include Adam Rapp's The Metal Children, Tarell Alvin McCraney's Wig Out!, the new Mariana Elder-Chris Miller-Nathan Tysen musical The Burnt Part Boys and a currently untitled work by playwright composer Polly Pen.

For tickets to The Piano Teacher at the Vineyard Theatre, 108 East 15th Street, call (212) 353-0303 or visit vineyardtheatre.org.