Two of experimental theatre's most noted names, Joseph Chaikin and Maria Irene Fornes, will direct an evening of one-acts at NY's Theatre For The New City, June 7-22. Chaikin will direct Edward Albee's 1976 piece, Counting The Ways; Fornes will stage her own drama, Springtime.

Albee has termed his play, about an upper-class couple struggling to find love, "A Vaudeville." Angela Lansbury starred in the original production at the Hartford Stage Company in 1977, and the play was staged as part of Signature Theatre's all-Albee season Off-Broadway. This staging will feature Wendy vanden Heuvel and Patrick Morris. Designing Counting will be Jun Maeda (sets), Mary Brecht (costumes), Philip D. Widmer (lighting).

Springtime is written and directed by Fornes, the Cuban-born author of Abingdon Square and Fefu And Her Friends. With sets by Donald Eastman, costumes by Mary Brecht and lighting by Phlip D. Widmer, Springtime tells of two women whose love for each other is tested when one falls ill. Molly Powell and Gordana Rashovich star, along with Patrick Morris.

Six-time Obie winner Chaikin founded The Other Theatre, which is presenting this evening of one-acts, in 1975. The company took hiatuses through the 1980s but started back up again in the early 90s. Chaikin directed Nacht und Traume in the Other Theatre's Three By Beckett in 1996. Also a playwright, Chaikin collaborated with Sam Shepard on 1991's The War In Heaven, which dealt with Chaikin's ongoing battle with aphasia.

For tickets and information on Counting The Ways / Springtime, which opens June 12 and runs to June 22 at Theatre For The New City, 155 First Ave., call (212) 332-0636. --By David Lefkowitz