Strictly Academic, a work by Gurney, will make its New York debut at Primary Stages' current space at 354 W. 45 St. The playwright, whose The Fourth Wall and O Jerusalem saw the stage this season — at Primary Stages and the Flea Theatre, respectively — returns with a new comedy. Set in the world of theatre, the play follows an artistic director concocts a sadistic scheme to keep her audiences coming back. The season opener is set for an October-November run. Next up, inaugurating the new 200-seat Primary Stages stage at 59 E. 59 St. is the world premiere of McNally's The Stendahl Syndrome. The new work from the pen of this season's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, will run in January and February of 2004. Stendahl combines the two plays Full Frontal Nudity — about three American tourists who are urged by a guide to bask in the beauty of Michelangelo's "David" — and Prelude & Liebestod — which finds a celebrated conductor watching his life unravel right before his eyes as he leads Wagner's music.

Up-and-comer playwright Julia Jordan — a Juilliard playwriting fellow and member of Primary Stages' New American Writers Group — will see the world premiere of her work Boy at 59E59 April-May 2004. The drama focuses on two young men who are searching for their place in the world. The play received an honorable mention from the Susan Smith Blackburn Award committee in 2001.

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