Hartford Stage artistic director Michael Wilson will stage the work at his company's home for a January-February 2008 run.

Based on the series of short stories, Sams pens the play that "tells the story of Zerline, a maid in an aristocratic household who weaves her captivating confessional tale for an unsuspecting tenant."

French actress Jeanne Moreau earned a Best Actress Molière Award in 1988 for her performance in the piece, Le récit de la servante Zerline, and then toured throughout Europe and Asia with the work.

Ashley earned her Tony for her turn in Take Her, She's Mine. The actress has become a regular at the Connecticut playhouse over recent years, having appeared in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, 8 by Tenn and The Glass Menagerie. Her Broadway credits include Enchanted April, Agnes of God, Gore Vidal's The Best Man and Neil Simon's Barefoot in the Park.

Sams' adaptations and translations include the books for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Amour as well as the play Indiscretions. He directed the current West End revival of The Sound of Music and has staged productions of Noises Off, Passion and Spend Spend Spend. Director Wilson has directed 21 productions for his theatre, including the premieres of Enchanted April, The Carpetbagger's Children and Necessary Targets.

The only other production announced at this point for the new Hartford Stage season is Our Town, starring Hal Holbrook, which opens in September.

Hartford Stage currently presents Luis Alfaro's Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (through April 1). Next will be Doug Wright's I Am My Own Wife (April 12-May 13) and Nightingale, written by and starring Lynn Redgrave (May 24-Jun 24).

Hartford Stage is located at 50 Church Street in downtown Hartford, CT. Tickets for current shows are available by calling (860) 527-5151. For more information visit www.hartfordstage.org.