Buoyed by its star actress, Frances Sternhagen, and a good review in the New York Times, The Exact Center of the Universe has extended its run at Off-Broadway's Theatre Four. Joan Vail Thorne's comedy began previews March 30 and opened April 7 for a run through April 25, just extended to May 2.

Production spokesperson Susan Chicoine told PBOL tickets were "flying out the door," leading to speculation the show, mounted by Women's Project & Productions, will extend even further into May.

Directing Universe is John Tillinger, who's had a busy year: Getting and Spending and Broadway's current Night Must Fall.

Sternhagen, who has won two Tonys over her long career, plays Vada Love Powell, a matriarch from the Deep South whose small world is rocked when her son, Apple, marries without her consent. Among Sternhagen's most recent credits is the award-winning Lincoln Center Theatre revival of The Heiress starring Cherry Jones.

Joining her on stage as her son is Reed Birney, whose varied career has included such productions -- on Broadway, Off and Off-Off -- as Gemini, The Common Pursuit, The Family of Mann and Seven Blowjobs. Also in the cast are Bethel Leslie, Marge Redmond and Tracy Thorne. For information on The Exact Center of the Universe, call (212) 239-6200.

-- By Robert Simonson and David Lefkowitz