Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, in residence at the AFI Theatre in the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, begins the reign of Spain, a world premiere comedy by Jim Knable, Dec. 15, for a run to Jan. 6.

Previews for the play began Dec. 10, under the direction of Woolly Mammoth's Tom Prewitt, the nonprofit troupe's associate artistic director. In Spain, "a desperate woman's imagination provides the key to discovering her lust for life and capacity to love," according to production notes. "Barbara's husband has just left her for a young woman with a boob job and she is trying to cope with reality. Suddenly, there's a Spanish Conquistador from the Middle Ages camped out in her living room — with his metal boots on her coffee table."

Emily Townley is Barbara, Christopher Lane is the Conquistador, and Sarah Marshall plays The Ancient. Andrew Ross Wynn and Katie Barrett are also featured.

Designers are Robin Stapley (set), Lisa Ogonowski (lighting), Rosemary Pardee (costume), Dave McKeever (sound) and Linda Evans (props).

Spain received a workshop production at New York University in 1999 and a reading (directed by Woolly Mammoth's Howard Shalwitz) in January 2001 at Arena Stage. Knable attended Yale School of Drama and is currently studying at New York University's Department of Dramatic Writing Graduate Program. Tickets range $17-$32. For tickets and information, call (202) 467-4600 or visit www.woollymammoth.net.

— By Kenneth Jones