Modern German plays aren't that common on the New York landscape, so when two appear at roughly the same time, it's something of an Oktoberfest (well, a Dekemberfest, anyway).

Dec. 4 saw Theatre for the New City open a comedy by German playwright/poet, Thomas Brasch (see Playbill On-Line story, "NYC Gets a 'Brasch' Debut; German Comedy Opens Dec. 4"). Tonight, Dec. 8, the 78th St. Theatre Lab and Skylight Entertainment will world premiere The Rose And The Knife, a drama by Marc Pascal (a pseudonym for a well-known, Berlin-based scientist and author.

Translated by David McLintock, The Rose And The Knife looks at a famous photographer now institionalized because of his destructive public behavior. Four medical experts judge him and in so doing, question their own lives.

Starring in the drama are Christopher Flockton, John Marino, Maria Galante, Sven Miller and Wallace Norman. Designing Rose are Doey Luethy (costumes), Pat Collins (lighting), Robert Niedermeyer (set). Alex Wurman has composed the original music.

Munich-born Tobias Heilmann, who previously directed Pascal's The Day Before The Night, stages the show. Other works by Pascal include In The Colors Of The Shadow and Wonderworld -- A Futuristic Dream. Recent stagings by 78th Street Theatre Lab include The Packwood Papers and The Frog Prince.

For tickets ($15-$18) and information on The Rose And The Knife at 78th Street Theatre Lab, 236 West 78th St., through Jan. 18, 1998, call (212) 873-9050.

-- By David Lefkowitz