Evan Bergman directs the New York City premiere of the play that began previews Feb. 9 and will run through March 4. In addition to Davies, the cast features Ari Butler (Fugue), Natalie Kuhn (Stop the Virgens) and Liza Vann (Machiavelli).

Here's how the play is billed: "John Grier has a charmed career – this professor of literature at a renowned university is about to be named Poet Laureate. He owes much of his success to his wife, Diane, who has been aggressively shepherding his pursuits. But when their daughter and her new boyfriend return home for the weekend, hidden secrets are revealed that threaten to destroy the professor’s career. Has this esteemed poet plagiarized his life's work? Poetic License is a biting drama that explores the fall out from the cut-throat, 'publish or perish' world of academia."

It has designs by Jessica Parks (set design), Jill Nagle (lighting design), Patricia E. Doherty (costume design) and John Emmett O’Brien (sound design). Stage manager is Rose Riccardi.

Canfora's plays include the 2010 National New Play Network winner Jericho and Place Setting. He co-adapted An Evening with Tennessee Williams with Harris Yulin. Poetic License received the Abingdon Theatre's 2011 award for playwriting.

Tickets are available by phoning (212) 279-4200 or online at www.59e59.org.