New Group artistic director Scott Elliott (The Threepenny Opera) will stage the work anew for his Off-Broadway troupe. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is based on the Muriel Spark 1962 novel which also was adapted by Allen for the 1969 film (starring Maggie Smith) and a television series. The drama follows an unconventional teacher as she comes to a Scottish girls' school in the 1930's.

The title role has proven a fruitful challenge for actresses: Zoe Caldwell won the Tony Award for the original Broadway incarnation, Vanessa Redgrave earned an Olivier Award for her London turn and Maggie Smith took home the Academy Award for the film version.

Elliott directed the current Broadway revival of The Threepenny Opera and the recent Barefoot in the Park. He reteams with Nixon who starred in his 2001 Broadway revival of The Women for the Roundabout Theatre Company. Other credits include Wallace Shawn's Aunt Dan and Lemon, Three Sisters, Present Laughter, Kiki & Herb: A Coup de Theatre, The Women of Lockerbie, Comedians and Smelling a Rat. A one time performer, he appeared on Broadway in Les Miserables and Ain't Broadway Grand.

Nixon earned a Tony Award nomination for her turn in the Broadway run of David Lindsay-Abaire's Rabbit Hole. The actress known to many for her television role as Miranda on the HBO series "Sex and the City," grew up on the New York boards. Her double duty on Broadway's Hurlyburly and The Real Thing (appearing simultaneously in both shows) is legendary theatrical trivia. She earned her first Tony Award nomination for Indiscretions. Her more recent credits include The Women, String Fever and The Country Club.

For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.thenewgroup.org.