Marion McClinton (King Hedley II) directs the work originally set to start March 23 and open April 7 for a run through May 8. A press representative for The New Group, the show's producer, did not cite a reason for the delay.

Annabella Sciorra ("The Sopranos") stars with Sarita Choudhury ("Mississippi Masala"), Sherri Eldin, Joseph Kamal (Dinner at Eight) and Daniel Oreskes (Aida) in the drama.

Roar explores the disrupted lives of a Palestinian-American mother (Choudhury) and her family living in Detroit when an exiled Kuwaiti relative (Sciorra) arrives at their home. The work is set in the early 1990s, following the first Gulf War.

Palestinian-American playwright and actress Shamieh has performed her play of monologues Chocolate in Heat at the 2001 New York International Fringe Festival. Her work has also been presented at Second Stage Theatre's Destination America project, at the Hangar Theatre Lab, Interart and the Exiles Theatre in Ireland.

The design team for Roar includes Beowulf Boritt (set), Jason Lyons (lighting), Ken Travis (sound) and Mattie Ullrich (costumes). Stephen Gabis serves as dialect coach. The New Group makes its new home at the renovated Theatre Row, 410 West 42 St., this season. For tickets, call (212) 239-6200. For more information, visit www.thenewgroup.org.