Terrence J. Nolan — who staged the world premiere in Philadelphia — returns to direct the New York run, which will officially open Aug. 7 at 59E59 Theaters for a limited run through Sept. 1.

From the pen of the playwright of An Empty Plate in the Caf_ du Grand Boeuf comes this tale that follows "a world-renowned string quartet that struggles to prepare for their highest profile performance when the violist, and founder of the quartet, mysteriously disappears," as an announcement describes. They find a replacement in an inspiring young woman and decide to attempt the more difficult Beethoven's Opus 131.

The five-member company of Opus features David Beach, Mahira Kakkar, Michael Laurence, Doug Rees and Richard Topol.

The work made its world premiere at Philadelphia's Arden Theatre — where it garnered 2006 Barrymore Awards for Outstanding New Play and Outstanding Direction of a Play.

The creative team includes Jim Kronzer (sets), Anne Kennedy (costumes), Justin Townsend (lights) and Jorge Cousineau (sound). The production stage manager is Fred Hemminger.

Opus opens the new Primary Stages season of new works by American playwrights. The line-up continues with Horton Foote's Dividing the Estate (Sept. 18-Oct. 27), Brooke Berman's Hunting and Gathering (Jan. 22-March 1, 2008) and Willy Holtzman's Something You Did (March 18-April 26, 2008).

Tickets to Opus at the 59E59 Theatres, 59 East 59th Street in Manhattan, are available by calling 1-212-279-4200. For more information, visit www.primarystages.com.