Who would have thought it? Metamorphoses, the high minded rendering of Ovid's classical myths, is a moneymaker.

The Mary Zimmerman production returned its entire investment of $1.7 million over the Memorial Day weekend, making it one of the first Broadway shows to recoup this season.

Metamorphoses transferred to Circle in the Square on Feb. 21, after a successful run at Off-Broadway's Second Stage. It has won the Drama Desk, Drama League and Lucille Lortel prizes for Best Play and is nominated for Tony Awards for Best Play and Best Direction and Best Scenic Design.

The Broadway cast mirrors the Off-Broadway ensemble, and includes Anjali Bhimani, Raymond Fox, Kyle Hall, Doug Hara, Felicity Jones, Chris Kipiniak, Louise Lamson, Erik Lochtefeld, Mariann Mayberry (who replaced Heidi Stillman during the Off-Broadway run) and Lisa Tejero.

The show, with its simple theatricality and soulful, poetic retelling of ancient tales, is surely the most unlikely Broadway show of the season, beating out even Urinetown for the title of artistic fish out of water.

The Broadway run is produced by Roy Gabay, Robyn Goodman, Allan S. Gordon, Elan McAllister, D. Harris/M. Swinsky, Ruth Hendel, Sharon Karmazin, R.L. Wreghitt/J. Bergere, in association with Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, artistic director; Carol Fishman, managing director).

Circle in the Square is at 1633 Broadway at 50th Street. Broadway tickets will range $30-$75. For tickets, call Tele-Charge at (212) 239-6200.