Originally scheduled to begin performances Oct. 11, the production postponed performances in order to ready new leading man, Louis Cancelmi, who stars in the title role.

As Philoktetes, Louis Cancelmi is joined onstage by Will Badgett as Odysseus and Jason Lew as Neoptolemus. This production marks the work's U.S. premiere.

Playwright Jesurun directs and designs the production, incorporating his trademark of combining various acting styles, media projections as well as vernacular and lyrical language into a theatrical event.

Jesurun's account of Philoktetes is described as such: "Ten years after abandoning Philoktetes on an island, his fellow soldiers return to retrieve him, now needing him to win the Trojan War: Jesurun creates a war-of-wills chamber piece about a formidable and broken man unwilling to fight in his comrades' war."

The Philoktetes design team features lighting design by Jeff Nash and costume design by Ruth Pongstaphone with physical production and projections designed by Jesurun. Jesurun's previous works include the Obie-winning Deep Sleep as well as Faust/How I Rose, Number Minus One, Dog's Eye View, Red House, Everything That Rises Must Converge, Septet and Snow.

Prior to the Soho Rep engagement, Philoktetes played throughout Europe, Mexico and recently in Japan, starring Noh theatre legend Hideo Kanze.

Philoktetes officially opens Oct. 17 and will play a limited engagement through Oct. 28.

The Soho Rep is located at 46 Walker Street in Manhattan. Tickets are available by calling (212) 868-4444 or by visiting www.smarttix.com.