Performances of the dark, humor-laced drama about an impoverished family — and the children who seek escape from it — began Aug. 29 at Atlantic's mainstage home, The Linda Gross Theater at 336 W. 20th Street. Official opening was Sept. 20.

The original limited engagement was scheduled through Oct. 14.

Scarcity features Atlantic Company members Kristen Johnston, Maggie Kiley and Todd Weeks as well as Meredith Brandt, Jesse Eisenberg, Miriam Shor and Michael T. Weiss.

"Set in rural western Massachusetts, Scarcity tells the tale of two siblings whose aspirations to escape the confines of poverty and small town life come into direct conflict with their sense of family responsibility," according to Atlantic. "When 16-year-old Billy is afforded an opportunity to change schools and move out of town by an unusually attentive young teacher, his family starts to unravel around him in this stark exploration of how class in America shapes our very image of ourselves."

Scarcity plays Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 2 PM & 8 PM and Sundays at 3 PM. Tickets for main stage productions are $55 and are available by calling Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 (ticketcentral.com). For more information, visit www.atlantictheater.org.