After a lengthy lay-off from playwriting, Christopher Durang has been working double-time the past few years, bringing a show to Broadway (Sex and Longing), and one-acts to such venues as Ensemble Studio Theatre and Manhattan Theatre Club (Durang Durang). Now he'll premiere a new full-length comedy, Betty's Summer Vacation, scheduled for Playwrights Horizons' third slot, Feb. 5-Mar. 14, 1999. Nicholas Martin (Full Gallop) will direct.

The titular protagonist rents a summer house to get away from it all, only to be drawn into the world of her housemates, who include an abuse victim, a serial killer, a sex addict and an exhibitionist.

Durang's ambitious Sex and Longing -- which also dealt with sex addiction, along with American Puritanism and governmental and religious hypocrisy -- had a short run at Broadway's Cort Theatre in fall 1996. The Lincoln Center production starred Sigourney Weaver and Dana Ivey.

Other works by the playwright, whose comedies often push the dark limits of farce, include Beyond Therapy, Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You, The Actor's Nightmare, Nina in the Morning, Wanda's Visit, A Stye of the Eye, Mrs. Sorken and History of the American Film.

In addition to Full Gallop, Martin has directed The Rehearsal at the Roundabout Theatre Company and Overtime at Manhattan Theatre Club. This summer, he piloted both The Matchmaker and Jonathan Marc Sherman's new Evolution at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. For ticket and subscription information call (212) 279-4200.

-- By Robert Simonson
and David Lefkowitz