Before New York audiences see Chay Yew's Red at the Manhattan Theatre Club (beginning previews Feb. 23, opening Mar. 9), the show will make its east coast debut at New Haven's Long Wharf Theatre, Jan. 8-Feb. 7, 1999, officially opening Jan. 13.

The play premiered last fall at Seattle's Intiman in a production directed by Lisa Peterson.

Yew is the author of Half Lives, Wonderland, Porcelain, and A Language of Their Own, which had a run at the Public Theatre a few seasons back.Red, his latest, tells the story of a father and daughter caught up in China's Cultural Revolution. The father is involved in the Beijing Opera, while his offspring decides to join the revolution. When political forces begin to use the opera as a pawn, tragic consequences ensue.

The cast for Red includes Jamie Guan, Jodi Long, Liana Pai, and Ric Young. Long Wharf's Red is directed by David Petrarca.

After seeing Red - Long Wharf's mainstage season will continue with the revised version of Stephen Schwartz/Nina Faso/Studs Turkel musical, Working (March 5 - April 11, 1999), and Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, (April 30-June 6, 1999). For tickets for Red or any other Long Wharf production, call (203) 787 4282.

-- By Sean McGrath