New Group associate artistic director Ian Morgan stages the limited run, May 3-27, to play at Theatre Row's Clurman Theater.

The writer-performer Brandt "explores the curious story of Spalding Gray's illness, disappearance and assumed suicide through the eerily parallel events of author Michael Brandt's own experience," according to New Group (naked). The author melds the late scribe's theatrical monologue style with his own.

Brandt has previously penned Footprints In The Snow, Survival Waltz and Merely Players as well as the short film "Everyday Things." Director Morgan oversees play development and The New Group (naked) series for the company. He directed last year's Critical Darling.

The design team for A Spalding Gray Matter features Peter R. Feuchtwanger (set), Kristine Koury (costume), Jason Lyons (lighting) and Matt Sherwin (sound).

The lower-budget New Group division knowns as New Group (naked) presents two new plays each season "on a modest scale" that allows artists a place "free from commercial pressures." Last season's inaugural productions includes David Cale's A Likely Story and Barry Levey's Critical Darling. Next up this season will be the world premiere of Darci Picoult's Jayson With A Y in June. The New Group mainstage 10th anniversary season concludes with Seth Zvi Rosenfeld's Everything's Turning Into Beautiful featuring songs by Jimmie James and direction by Carl Forsman.

For tickets to A Spalding Gray Matter at Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street (between Ninth and Tenth Ave.), call (212) 279-4200. For more information, visit the website at http://www.thenewgroup.org.