Margulies' 'Time' to open on Feb. 11

'Nightmare Alley' to bow at Geffen Playhouse

By PHIL GALLO

Donald Margulies' next play has been given a new title, "Time Stands Still," and an opening date of Feb. 11 as part of the Geffen Playhouse's 2008-09 season. A second world premiere, Jonathan Brielle's "Nightmare Alley," is also on the slate.

"Time Stands Still," originally titled "The Elephant in the Room," was moved off the 2007-08 schedule to allow Daniel Sullivan to direct. The Geffen-commissioned "Time," which concerns the reunion of a journalistic team after a stint in the Middle East, will run Feb. 11-March 15.

Composer and musician Jonathan Brielle's tuner "Nightmare Alley" will make its world premiere June 24-July 26, 2009, at the playhouse. Helmed by Geffen producing director Gilbert Cates, "Alley" explores the darker side of entertainment through carnies, cons and clairvoyants. It's based on the book that gave rise to the 1947 Tyrone Power film of the same name.

Season will also include a production of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Robert Schenkkan's "By the Waters of Babylon" (Nov. 5-Dec. 7) and "Beethoven as I Knew Him," the conclusion of Hershey Felder's musical trilogy, running Aug. 27-Oct. 12 and directed by Joel Zwick. A play not yet determined will run April 22, 2009, to May 24, 2009.

A special engagement of Felder in "George Gershwin Alone" runs Dec. 19-Jan. 4.