Cambridge's American Repertory Theatre has announced an extension of Valparaiso by Don DeLillo, through Mar. 27. The production, presented in association with the AT&T On stage series, was originally scheduled to close Mar. 17.

The world-renowned novelist ("White Noise," "Libra" and "Underworld") is making his second venture into the theatre world. His first play, The Dayroom, premiered at the A.R.T. in 1986. The novel "Libra," about Lee Harvey Oswald, was adapted into a play by John Malkovich and produced by IL's Steppenwolf in 1994.

In Valparaiso, a man who took the wrong plane to a mysterious destination now finds himself the obsessive focus of interviews and talk shows. A.R.T. Resident Director David Wheeler directs.

A leading corporate sponsor of the arts for more than 50 years, AT&T created the AT&T Foundation in 1984 as the company's principal instrument for philanthropy and its centerpiece for public service in communities where AT&T employees live and work. AT&T: On stage is designed to encourage innovative regional and institutional theatre companies to develop and present new works for the American stage.

Past productions supported by AT&T include: The Intiman Theatre in Seattle's production of Ellen McLaughlin's Tongue of a Bird (which is New York bound), August Wilson's Seven Guitars, and the 1995 A.C.T. production of Hecuba. Joining the company for the production will be Shepard veteran Will Patton (Lie of the Mind, Fool for Love). Other cast members include: Caroline Hall, Randy Danson, Thomas Derrah, Karen McDonald, Stephen Rowe, Remo Airaldi, Dina Commoli, Sophia Fox-Long and Jonathan Hova. Set design is by Karl Eigesti, costumes by Catherine Zuber, lights by John Ambrosone, and sound by Christopher Walker.

Valparaiso plays at ART's Loeb Stage through Mar. 27, in repertory with Henrik Ibsen's The Master Builder. For tickets or more information, call (617) 547-8300.

-- By Sean McGrath