Seth Duerr, who appeared in earlier incarnations of the solo play, will again direct and star in the three-week engagement that will run through Aug. 28.

In The Punishing Blow, Duerr will portray "Leslie, an anti-Semitic college professor whose court-ordered public lecture is this play," according to press notes. "Dark, yet humorous, Leslie’s lecture transcends its purpose and becomes a reflection on the nature of hate and of the professor himself."

Authored by Emmy winner and "Ethicist" columnist Randy Cohen, the solo play received its world premiere as part of the 6th annual Woodstock Fringe Festival in 2008. Duerr also starred.

Duerr is the founder and artistic director of the York Shakespeare Company. He appeared in the Shakespeare in the Park productions of Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet. He toured the U.S. in the Acting Company production of Orson Welles' Moby Dick – Rehearsed.

For tickets, phone (212) 239-6200 or visit Telecharge. The Kirk Theater is located at 410 West 42nd Street.