A theatrical couple tearing up the stage and each other, as all the while they perform in a show together — no, it's not Kiss Me, Kate but Scenery, a new backstage comedy by actor and writer Ed Dixon. Scenery will make its world premiere Sept. 20-Oct. 7 at East Hampton's John Drew Theatre. Montauk Theatre Company produces the play, opening Sept. 23.

Scenary is set in the dressing room of egotistical yet lovable Richard and Marilyn Crane, two Broadway veterans opening a new show. They spar and banter before the show, during their costumes changes and after the performance, revealing much about the true backstage workings of a Broadway show.

Dixon received a Drama Desk nomination for his play Shylock. Other credits include Cather Country, Norma and the musical Richard Cory. On Broadway, he appeared in The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Iceman Cometh and The Best Man.

Emmy and Obie winner Marilyn Sokol is Marilyn with two-time Tony winner Clive Revill as Richard. A Broadway veteran (The Great God Brown, Welcome to the Club, Grease!), Sokol's one woman show Guilt Without Sex ran a year and a half Off-Broadway. Revill won his Tonys for Irma La Douce and as Fagin in Oliver!.

Irish helmer Frank Dunlop directs. At London's National Theatre, he worked with Laurence Olivier and built and directed the Young Vic Theatre. He served two years as founding artistic director of the Brooklyn Academy of Music Theatre Company and recently directed production of Napoleon and The Turn of the Screw in Brussels. Tickets are $30. The John Drew Theatre at Guild Hall is located at 158 Main Street in East Hampton. For reservatioins, call (631) 324-4050.

— By Christine Ehren