Mark Brokaw directs the work, which also features Becky Ann Baker, Gale Harold, Sandra Shipley, Karen Walsh and Wayne Wilcox. The drama began previews Oct. 20 and will play a limited run through Jan. 21, 2007, at the Laura Pels Theatre in the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre. In Williams' psychological drama, Danner stars as "the formidable Mrs. Venable, an aging widow distraught over the mysterious death of her son," according to a release. "When the young cousin (Gugino) who traveled with him begins raising scandalous allegations, Mrs. Venable will stop at nothing to preserve her son's reputation."

At left (from top): Blythe Danner and Carla Gugino; Wayne Wilcox and Sandra Shipley; Blythe Danner, Mark Brokaw and Gale Harold; Karen Walsh and Becky Ann Baker; Christopher Hanke; Katie Finneran; Terrence McNally; Elizabeth Berkley; Alan Rickman.

Below: The company of Suddenly Last Summer takes its opening-night bows.

photos by Aubrey Reuben