The new David Leveaux (The Real Thing) staging resets the musical in the early 1960's Venice — around the time that the musical's source material was released. With a cast of over a dozen women including Chita Rivera, Mary Stuart Masterson, Jane Krakowski and Laura Benanti, the production — originally scheduled through June 29 — opened April 10 following previews from March 21.

Dressed in a monochromatic (as a black-and-white film) '60s mod style, the women in Italian director Guido Contini's life — including his wife, mistress, leading lady, mother, first sexual encounter and producer — swarm around the filmmaker as he struggles to arouse inspiration for a film. The once-lauded director attempts to revive his career by escaping to a Venetian spa.

Nine features Antonio Banderas as the musical's focal point, filmmaker Guido Contini. The lovers and collaborators in his life are played by a cast that includes Chita Rivera as Liliane La Fleur, Laura Benanti as Claudia, Jane Krakowski as Carla and Mary Stuart Masterson as Luisa.

Also in the ensemble are Nell Campbell as Lina Darling, Saundra Santiago as Stephanie Necrophorus, Deidre Goodwin as The Lady of the Spa, Mary Beth Peil as Guido's Mother, Mary Lucretia Taylor as Saraghina, Rachel deBenedet, Rona Figueroa, Sara Gettelfinger, Kristin Marks, Linda Mugleston, Elena Shaddow and Kathy Voytko.

Leveaux's restaging features choreography by Jonathan Butterell and musical direction by Kevin Stites. Creating a spectacle that includes a spiral staircase that reaches into the fly space, a Botticelli backdrop, a suspended bedsheet entrance and running water, the design team includes Scott Pask's sets, Victoria Mortimer's costumes, Brian MacDevitt's lighting and Jon Weston's sound. The cast album of Ninewill be recorded March 31, for a tentative June 3 release on the PS Classics label.

For tickets to Nine at the O'Neill, 230 West 49 St., call (212) 239-6200 or click here.