A 1996 Pulitzer Prize finalist, Old Wicked Songs is the story of an arrogant piano prodigy from America who travels to Vienna to study with a distinguished voice teacher. The two men become close friends, but not without first enduring a fierce power struggle between teacher and student.

Jon Marans' much-produced drama had a hit run Off-Broadway at the Promenade Theatre, and will now get a mounting at San Jose Repertory Theatre, directed by associate artistic director, John McCluggage. Ray Reinhardt stars as the old professor, alongside Jay Douglas as volatile Stephen Hoffman.

Designing this Wicked Songs are Michael Ganio (set), B. Modern [sic] (costumes), Evan Parker (lighting) and Jeff Mockus (sound). Craig Bohmler serves as musical director.

The production started previews March 8 for an opening March 13 and a run through April 5.

Playwright Marans is also the author of Child Child, which won a Preston Jones New Play Award. For tickets ($16-$32) and information on San Jose Rep's Old Wicked Songs, at the Sobrato Auditorium, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, call (408) 291-2255.

-- By David Lefkowitz