The producers of the L.A. production of James Joyce's The Dead hope to have much of the cast of the Broadway version of the Richard Nelson- Shaun Davey musical repeat their performances at the Ahmanson Theatre, July 11-Sept. 3.

Co-creator and director Nelson told Playbill On-Line at the Tony Awards Nominees luncheon (May 17) that he would again direct in Los Angeles. Nelson said that Christopher Walken and Blair Brown -- the stars of the Broadway mounting -- would probably be unavailable for the Ahmanson engagement. However, Nelson said he hoped Faith Prince and Stephen Bogardus, who replaced Brown and Walken in New York City, would repeat their performances as husband and wife, Gabriel and Gretta Conroy.

Stephen Spinella, who won a Drama Desk Award and is a Tony Award nominee for his performance as the sodden Freddie Malins, told Playbill On-Line that he was definitely booked for the L.A. show.

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Finian's Rainbow, the Burton Lane-E.Y. Harburg musical, was to have played the Ahmanson this summer, but canceled its plans when the necessary funds couldn't be drummed up. The Dead recently ended a short run at Broadway's Belasco Theatre, closing despite being nominated for several awards. The Dead will officially open at the Ahmanson July 19.

Richard Nelson penned the book, adapted or wrote lyrics and directed The Dead, which has music by Shaun Davey. The L.A. stand is a special engagement, not a national tour. Nelson said producers were still hopeful of arranging a national tour.