Frank Wood recently entered the cast. He replaces Jamey Sheridan, who was forced to withdraw from the production "because of his shooting schedule for the television series 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent.'"

The change came just three days before the first preview.

New School University is producing the work, which was written over the summer, and tracks the lives of a put-upon Midwestern couple. Quaid and Smith-Cameron play the cattle-raising husband and wife, and Roth is a government official.

Shepard called the play "a takeoff on Republican fascism," and added, "I kind of wanted to get it done in New York before the election. I'm not sure it matters, but I figured I'd get it out there."

Shepard told the New York Times he had wanted British director Matthew Warchus to stage the piece, but he was unavailable. Instead, Lou Jacob will pilot the work. Shepard mentioned the actors will be doing the project for very little money and New School students will perform administrative duties and act as understudies.