Coming to NY's 78th Street Theatre Lab, Feb. 21, is the latest play by Jeffrey Sweet, author of American Enterprise and The Value of Names. An off-beat comedy about romance and relationships, With And Without features Reed Birney, Mia Dillon, Kit Flanagan and KC Landis. Birney's credits include Len Jenkin's Dark Ride; Dillon starred in Broadway's Crimes of the Heart and New England at Manhattan Theatre Club (1995).

Michael Montel (Summer Brave) directs this tale of two couples who rent a summer house -- but only three of the four show up. When the odd woman out goes to rent a video, she meets a man, putting the other couple in an uncomfortable situation regarding their friendship.

With and Without premiered at Chicago's Victory Gardens Theatre in l995. Sweet, author of the lyrics and libretto to I Sent a Letter to my Love, is a resident playwright at Victory Gardens. He co-edited the annual Otis Guernsey "Best Plays" yearbook, 1986-97.

Designing With and Without are Campbell Baird (set) and Marilyn Rennagel (lighting).

The 78th Street Theatre Lab is a non-profit theatre specializing in play development and collaboration between dramatists and the artistic community.

According to author Sweet, rehearsals began Jan. 20 for previews starting Feb. 14 and a run to March 21. For tickets ($12) and information on With and Without at 78th Street Theatre Lab, 236 West 78th St., call (212) 873-9050.

-- By David Lefkowitz