The original 1969 Broadway production of Don Peterson's Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie lasted only 48 previews and performances at the Belasco, but that was long enough for a young unknown named Al Pacino to win a Tony Award for his portrayal of a teen drug addict.

Pacino's star has continued to rise since then, as the play and Peterson have sunk into obscurity. The Barefoot Theatre Company will try to reverse the latter trajectory July 5 when it opens a new production of Tiger at the Looking Glass Theatre (422 W. 57th St.) Michael LoPorto directs the piece.

The play concerns a group of teen drug users stuck in an island rehabilitation center and the English teacher who tries to make a dent in their bleak lives. The Broadway cast also featured Hal Holbrook. Peterson had one more Broadway play, 1973's The Enemy Is Dead. Linda Lavin starred. It ran for one full performance.

The Barefoot production features Jeremy Brena, Ruben Luque, Gilberto Ron, Robert Scott, David Rodriguez, Francisco Solorzano, Orlando S. Columbus, Carson Hinners, Yamille Penagos, Gil Charleston, Gabriel Buentello, Chiara Montalto, Rafael Luna, Johnathan Cedano, Andrew Hannibal and Michael Kerns.

Tickets are $15. Call (212) 206-1515. —By Robert Simonson