Off-Broadway is now taking reservations for Hotel Universe. The seldom-staged Philip Barry play is the Blue Light Theatre Company's fourth and last production of the 1999-2000 season. The show is running April 18-May 7, with an April 27 opening.

Darko Tresnjak directs a cast that features Arija Bareikis (The Last Night of Ballyhoo and seen recently in The Moment When Off Broadway), Cheryl Lynn Bowers, Liam Craig (Stop Kiss), Richard Easton (Waste), Keira Naughton (Uncle Jack), Gregor Paslawski, Kali Rocha (The Altruists), Armand Schultz (The Herbal Bed) and Adam Stein.

Hotel Universe was first staged in 1930. An unusual work for Barry, who is better known for his urbane comedies The Philadelphia Story and Holiday, the story takes place in a villa on the Mediterranean which was once a small hotel of bizarre reputation. Living there is Ann Field, who is nursing a demented father. When a group of American friends pay a visit, they are struck by the place's gloomy atmosphere, become introspective and relive memories from their childhoods.

The original production, which ran two hours without intermission, featured Franchot Tone, Glenn Anders and Ruth Gordon. It played only 72 performances.

For tickets ($30) and information on Hotel Universe at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre, Broadway & 76th Street, call (212) 279-4200. --By Robert Simonson
and David Lefkowitz