Director Tim Maner continues his post-modern explorations of Nathaniel Hawthorne in Blithedale: A Virtual Utopia at HERE, Mar. 29 - April 18.

Conceived and directed by Maner, Blithedale completes his trilogy of Hawthorne adaptations, the previous two being: A: A Carnival Adulteration of the Scarlet Letter and 7: A Haunted Deconstruction of the House of Seven Gables. All three shows were presented at HERE, where Maner is co-founder and co-artistic director.

With an adaptation by Elizabeth Banks, and additional text by Ruth Margraff (The Elektra Fugues, The Wallpaper Psalm) and David Latham (of Premium Bob), Blithedale sends Hawthorne's classic tale of passion, feminism, and utopian ideals on a 19th-century commune into cyberspace, where the characters from Hawthorne's novel meet their counterparts in virtual reality.

The cast of Blithedale includes David Anzuelo, Kimberly Gambino, Thomas Pasley, John Rubin, Erica Stuart, and Alison White. Scene and lighting design is by Kyle Chepulis, sound design is by Tim Schellenbaum, and costume design is by Nancy Brous.

Blithedale is playing at HERE (145 Avenue of the Americas), beginning previews Mar. 24 with an official opening Mar. 29. The show runs through April 18. For reservations call (212) 647-0202. -- By Sean McGrath