Drawing actors from its own resident company, TACT is devoted to unearthing neglected or rarely produced plays of literary merit. The Cocktail Party will play Theatre Row on West 42nd Street March 7-April 10, 2010, opening opening on March 17.

The Cocktail Party (1950) was previously presented by TACT in a "concert performance" reading in 1996 at the New-York Historical Society. For that reading, Harris ("Mad About You," TACT's Bedroom Farce) played the enigmatic society lady, Julia Shuttlethwaite, and will once again return to that role for this production. Jones (known for his work on the TV series "Brideshead Revisited") played Edward Chamberlayne, the husband in the play. It was Jones' first role with TACT.

Jones also appeared in the 1997 revival of the play at the Edinburgh Festival, but in the role of Alex MacColgie Gibbs. This time out, Jones will move into the role of Sir Henry Harcourt-Reilly (also known as the Uninvited Guest), a part originally played by Alec Guinness.

Jones said, "Working in a repertory company such as ours — and I do believe that TACT is one of few in New York City — allows us to do this kind of thing: present interesting challenging plays with artists with whom we have a shared artistic language and vision. And with whom we have an enormous amount of history. This is a great leg up when one comes into the rehearsal hall."

Evans called The Cocktail Party "Eliot's compassionate examination of our deepest physical and spiritual needs."

The Cocktail Party, Eliot's "profound exploration of self-deception and redemption" concerns Edward and Lavinia Chamberlayne, who are throwing a fashionable party at their London flat. "The guests arrive only to discover that their hostess is nowhere to be found and a rather strange man, who knows no one, seems right at home," according to TACT. "Ruthless and compassionate, this 'Cocktail Party' embodies the day-to-day struggle of domestic life while turning the classic 'drawing room comedy' on its head."

The most popular of Eliot's plays, The Cocktail Party had its New York premiere in January 1950 at Henry Miller's Theatre and starred Alec Guinness as the mysterious stranger. It played 409 performances and won the 1950 Best Play Tony Award. It was revived in 1968 at The Lyceum Theatre (running 44 performances) and starred Brian Bedford and Frances Sternhagen as the party hosts and Sydney Walker as the strange visitor.

Additional cast and creative team for the TACT revival will be announced at a later date.

For more information, visit tactnyc.org.

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TACT opened its 2009-10 season with Sidney Howard's The Late Christopher Bean.

TACT presents at The Beckett Theatre (410 West 42nd Street) in the Theatre Row complex.