What better way to beat the summer heat than with a chiller? That's the hope of producers Ben Sprecher, William P. Miller and Aaron Levy, who'd wanted to bring John Pielmeier's Voices in the Dark to Broadway a season ago. They'll now get their chance, beginning July 31 at the Longacre Theatre.

Two time Tony Award-winning Judith Ivey will star in the $1.375 million production, which is set to open Aug. 12. Before bringing this new thriller by the author of Agnes of God to Broadway, the producers will take the show to the Rich Forum at CT's Stamford Center of the Arts, July 16-25.

Gates McFadden (of "Star Trek: The Next Generation") had starred in the show's Feb. 1998 bow at New Jersey's George Street Theatre, with a Broadway production postponed so McFadden could film a "Next Generation" movie. Plans to bring the actress to Broadway fell through in late 1998.

The Broadway production will feature the director (Christopher Ashley) and the design team of the show's run at George Street: David Gallo (set), David C. Woolard (costumes) and Donald Holder (lighting).

Dark tells of a radio psychologist trapped with a psycho in a snowed-in house. The play was originally mounted by Pielmeier himself back in October 1994 at Seattle's A Contemporary Theatre. Ivey's Broadway credits include: Bedroom Farce, Piaf, Steaming (Tony and Drama Desk awards), Hurlyburly (Tony and Drama Desk awards), Blithe Spirit, Precious Sons, Park Your Car in Harvard Yard (Tony nomination).

Still no word on who will complete the cast, but co-starring in the George Street staging were Jonathan Hogan (As Is), John Ahlin, Peter Bartlett, Nicole Fonarow, Larkin Malloy, Robert Petkoff and Charles Wagner IV.

Pielmeier's other works include Willi, which he appeared in at Seattle's ACT in 1991, Steeple Chase, The Boys of Winter and Impassioned Embraces.

For tickets ($25 - $55) to the Stamford Center pre-Broadway engagement, call (203) 325-4466. The last, short-lived tenant at the Longacre Theatre was The Gershwins' Fascinating Rhythm.