Singer-songwriter Vega ("Luka," "Tom's Diner") will perform the work about late American writer McCullers, perhaps best known for her novels "The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter" and "The Member of the Wedding." Sheik has penned songs for the solo play along with Vega.

Kay Matschullat will stage Carson McCullers Talks About Love, which will run April 20-June 4 at Rattlestick. An official opening has been set for April 28.

Prior to its New York debut, Vega will premiere the piece at Columbus State University Feb. 18 to commemorate McCullers' 94th birthday celebration. The work received an earlier reading Jan. 18 at the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center in Troy, NY.

According to Rattlestick, "McCullers talks and reminisces about love and art and life. In trying to explain herself, she must once again wrestle with the demons that have intruded on her from the beginning of her life. Seamlessly moving from spoken work to song and back again, Vega channels McCullers in a way that reveals the meeting of two souls in a single work of art. The show features 16 original songs sung by Ms. Vega who will be accompanied by guitar and piano."

Tickets are not yet on sale. Rattlestick is currently presenting Adam Rapp's The Hallway Trilogy through March 20.

Visit rattlestick.org. The Rattlestick Playwrights Theater is located at 224 Waverly Place (between West 11th and Perry St.).