Quinn's arrival completes the Public cast that also includes Brian Dennehy, David Strathairn, Maria Tucci, Joe Grifasi and Gloria Reuben. Nelson's new play chronicles those entangled in Julius Caesar's world of manipulation and power. Nelson will direct his work for the Public, which begins performances Feb. 19. Conversations in Tusculum, according to press notes, is described in this manner: "The country you love and the values it represents are being destroyed by a misguided leader. You can continue to live in relative comfort by not involving yourself, or you can take action to save the democracy you love."

Dennehy portrays Cicero, with Aidan Quinn as Brutus, Joe Grifasi as Syrus, Gloria Reuben as Porcia, David Strathairn as Cassius and Maria Tucci as Servilia.

Aidan Quinn earned an Emmy nomination for television's "An Early Frost." Quinn starred in the 1988 Broadway revival of A Streetcar Named Desire and the Off-Broadway productions of Fool for Love and The Exonerated. His numerous screen credits include "Legends of the Fall," "Reckless," "Music of the Heart," "Desperately Seeking Susan," and "Stakeout."

Playwright Richard Nelson earned the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for James Joyce's The Dead, a production he also directed. His other works for Broadway include Two Shakespearean Actors, Some Americans Abroad, the book for the musical Chess, as well as adaptations of The Father, Accidental Death of an Anarchist and The Marriage of Figaro.

Conversations will officially open March 11 and play a limited engagement through March 23.

Tickets for the general public will go on sale Feb. 3; however, Public Theater members are currently able to purchase tickets. For tickets call (212) 539-8750 or visit www.publictheater.org.

The Public Theater is located at 425 Lafayette Street in Manhattan.