By the end, the revival at the Union Square Theatre (where Our Lady of 121st Street plays in 2003) will have run 26 previews and 102 regular performances.

The staging ignited the box office when it began previews Aug. 27 and exploded after it opened to glowing reviews Sept. 19. Catherine Keener and Edward Norton starred. The production was recast when their contracts expired: Elisabeth Shue and Peter Sarsgaard took over the roles of the contentious lead lovers in the James Houghton- directed revival, which, the troupe hoped, would last into 2003. Supporting players Dallas Roberts and Ty Burrell were with the show from the start.

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The 1987 drama, first seen on Broadway, is now the most successful production in the history of the not-for-profit Signature, which devotes each season to one playwright (this year, Wilson).

Next up for Off-Broadway's not-for-profit Signature: A revival of Wilson's Fifth of July starring Robert Sean Leonard and Parker Posey, Jan. 16-March 9, 2003.