Sondheim regular Barbara Bryne heads the cast of Ionesco's The Chairs at the Guthrie Theater Lab; performances begin Oct. 25.

Bryne, who starred in the original Broadway casts of Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George and Into the Woods as well as the recent Kennedy Center mounting of A Little Night Music, will appear opposite Christopher McCann in the play that deals with one of the author's favorite themes: existence is meaningless. Charles Schuminski will play the role of the Orator.

* Daniel Aukin, currently the artistic director of Soho Rep, will helm the production, which has an official opening on Oct. 30 and is set to run through Nov. 24. The remainder of the creative team comprises Kyle Chepulis (set designer), Katherine Kohl (costume designer), Matthew Frey (lighting designer), Reid Rejsa (sound designer), Marcela Lorca (movement), Jo Holcomb (dramaturgy), Keira Fromm (assistant director) and Chris A. Code (stage manager).

In addition to her Sondheim work, Barbara Bryne appeared in the film version of "Amadeus" and the Off-Broadway production of Entertaining Mr. Sloane. She has played over 20 roles at Canada's Stratford Festival and over 50 roles for the Guthrie. Christopher McCann, who won an Obie Award for his work in Lincoln Center's The Lights, has been featured in New York productions of Richard III, Richard II, The Changling, A Dybbuk and The Devils. His television credits include "Law & Order," "Against the Law," "Miami Vice" and "Path to Paradise." McCann has also appeared at the Guthrie in the Lucian Pintillie-directed Wild Duck. Tickets for the The Chairs, priced between $26 and $30, are available by calling the Guthrie box office at (612) 377-2224. Preview tickets are priced at $22.

The Guthrie Theater is located at 725 Vineland Place in Minneapolis, MN. Go to www.guthrietheater.org for more information.

—By A1pw Gans