Coming as something of a relief after a rash of June closings on and Off-Broadway is the news that the run of Kenneth Lonergan's comedy-drama, Lobby Hero, is officially extended all through the summer. The well-received show, which had been scheduled to end July 15, will now play through Sept. 2.

Lobby Hero started with a sold-out stretch at Playwrights Horizons' homespace and moved to the John Houseman Theatre for a commercial run that opened May 8. The original cast of director Mark Brokaw's sold-out staging remains throughout the summer. The piece tells of a young, directionless lobby guard (Glenn Fitzgerald) facing issues of truth, loyalty, morality and self in a New York apartment building lobby. He spars with his boss (Dion Graham), a cocky but adulterous veteran cop (Tate Donovan) and his sexy rookie partner (Heather Burns), who's probably not cut out to be a policewoman. All four are on edge in the wake of a murder. Issues of justice, honesty and integrity burble throughout the seriocomic play, which Lonergan edited in previews at Playwrights Horizons.

The play was an audience favorite at Playwrights Horizons and has received solid to excellent notices. The commercial run is presented by Mosaic Entertainment (Jon Steingart, Jenny Wiener) and Hal Luftig.

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Lonergan was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for his 2000 Off Broadway play, The Waverly Gallery, and was nominated for an Academy Award in 2001 for his original screenplay of "You Can Count On Me," which he also directed. He also penned Off-Broadway's This Is Our Youth. Designers are Allen Moyer (set), Michael Krass (costume), Mark McCullough (lighting) and Janet Kalas (sound).

The Playwrights Horizons production of Lobby Hero began previews Feb. 16 and opened March 13. Its six-week run was extended three times, ending April 15 due to the scheduled next production in Playwrights Horizons' season.

The John Houseman Theatre is at 450 W. 42nd Street. Tickets are $45-$50. A limited number of $20 student tickets will be available at every performance. For tickets, call (212) 239-6200, or visit the box office.

— By David Lefkowitz
and Kenneth Jones