Heroes are revealed and disgraced in Kenneth Lonergan's Lobby Hero, beginning an open run Off-Broadway May 8, at the John Houseman Theatre, following a sold-out premiere run at Playwrights Horizons. The original cast of director Mark Brokaw's sold-out staging continues in the commercial staging, which tells of a young, directionless lobby guard (Glenn Fitzgerald) facing issues of truth, loyalty, morality and self in a New York apartment building lobby.

He spars with his boss (Dion Graham), a cocky veteran cop (Tate Donovan) and his sexy rookie partner (Heather Burns). All four are on edge in the wake of a murder. Issues of justice, honesty and integrity burble throughout the seriocomic play, which Lonergan edited in previews at Playwrights Horizons.

The play was an audience favorite at Playwrights Horizons and got solid notices. The commercial run is presented by Mosaic Entertainment (Jon Steingart, Jenny Wiener) and Hal Luftig.

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Lonergan was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for his 2000 Off Broadway play, The Waverly Gallery, and was nominated for an Academy Award in 2001 for his original screenplay of "You Can Count On Me," which he also directed. He also penned Off-Broadway's This Is Our Youth.

Designers are Allen Moyer (set), Michael Krass (costume), Mark McCullough (lighting) and Janet Kalas (sound).

The Playwrights Horizons production of Lobby Hero began previews Feb. 16 and opened March 13. Its six-week run was extended three times, ending April 15 due to the scheduled next production in Playwrights Horizons' season.

The John Houseman Theatre is at 450 W. 42nd Street. Tickets are $45-$50. A limited number of $20 student tickets will be available at every performance. For tickets, call (212) 239-6200, or visit the box office.

— By Kenneth Jones