Rubenstein got his wish. He and the play will return Jan. 25, 2005, at the Theater at St. Clement's (423 W. 46th St.). The engagement will run six week, reported the New York Times. The Peccadillo Theater Company, which dusts off forgotten American plays as its mission, produced the show downtown this past spring. The show, which began May 6, received a glowing review in the New York Times, prompting the addition of shows at 8 PM May 26 and 2 PM May 29.

The show, directed by Dan Wackerman, stars seasoned Broadway and film actor John Rubinstein (Pippin, Children of a Lesser God, Ragtime).

The play is about cynical attorney George Simon's struggle to avoid disbarment. The Jewish Simon clawed his way out of the slums. Now, he's at the mercy of an anti-Semitic competitor who has a damaging piece of dirt on him.

The work was a considerable success for Rice and its star Paul Muni. It debuted in 1931 and ran for nearly a year. Muni returned to it three times: in 1932, 1933 and 1943. The 1933 film starred John Barrymore, who gave one of his most memorable screen performances.

Rubinstein has played the part before. He won the Drama-Logue and L. A. Drama Critics Circle Awards for his portrayal of George Simon.

The cast also included Madeleine Martin ( who played the title role in last season's revival of A Day In The Death of Joe Egg), Madeleine's brother Joseph, Michael Berkowitz, Dennis Burke, Beth Glover, Nell Gwynn, James M. Larmer, David Lavine, Mark Light-Orr, Lanie MacEwan, Racheline Maltese, Sal Mistretta, Robert O'Gorman, Ginger Rich, Tara Sands, Letty Serra, Brian Taylor, and Ashley West.