The Antigone-inspired tale is set to officially open Jan. 24. The Off-Broadway engagement is scheduled to run through March 6 at the DR2 Theatre in Manhattan's Union Square.

"After the War of the Seven Against Thebes, Antigone, the daughter of Oedipus, learns that her brothers have killed each other, having been forced onto opposing sides of the battle," begin IRT production notes. "When Creon, King of Thebes, grants burial to one but not the other, Antigone defies his order, setting in action a chain of events that can only end in destruction. First written as a response to the invasion of Iraq in 2003, it stands today as a timely reminder of the conflict between the defense of state security and the protection of basic human rights."

Larry Bryggman and John Cullum had both been previously tapped to star in O'Brien's role.

The full cast, helmed by Charlotte Moore, also features Ciaran Bowling as Haemon, Rod Brogan as the Messenger, Winsome Brown as Eurydice, Katie Fabel as Ismene, Colin Lane as the Guard and Robert Langdon Lloyd as Tiresias.

The production has scenic design by Tony Walton; costume design by Linda Fisher; lighting design by Brian Nason; sound design by Zach Williamson; and properties by Deirdre Brennan. Tickets can be purchased by visiting IrishRep.org or calling the box office at (212) 727-2737. The DR2 Theatre is located at 103 East 15th Street in Union Square, Manhattan.