Based on Dion Boucicault’s 1859 play about American slavery, The Octoroon: An Adaptation Of The Octoroon Based On The Octoroon, will be staged by Irish director Gavin Quinn. The PS 122 premiere will run June 16-July 3. An official opening has been set for June 24.

Here's how PS 122 describes The Octoroon: "A bombastic, super-theatrical, full-scale investigation of the sweetest of intersections—theatre and identity politics—this play with real actors and real sets and real costumes seeks to understand why New York audiences can’t seem to get enough of plays about Irish folks and black people and racism and, um, America?"

Jacobs-Jenkins is a member of the Public Theater's Emerging Writers Group. His racially-driven play Neighbors, which incorporated minstrelsy into its plot, garnered much press when it premiered as part of the Public LAB in February.

Other works on the spring bill at PS 122 are Reid Farrington's Gin & "It" (April 24-May 9); Vaginal Davis Is Speaking from the Diaphragm (May 15-May 27); Adrienne Truscott's Bermuda (May 30-June 13); and Isabel Lewis' Strange Action (June 3-6).

PS 122's May 4 spring gala will honor John Leguizamo at the Abrons Arts Center. Special guests include Hazelle Goodman, Lisa Kron, Spike Lee and Rosie Perez. Eric Bogosian will offer a video performance for the evening that will be chaired by Claire Danes and Baz Luhrmann. Tickets are available by phoning (212) 352-3101 or by visiting PS122.

PS 122 is located in Manhattan at 150 1st Avenue at East 9th Street.